2008 wimbledon tennis

Wimbledon 2008 Men's Semi-Finals Preview

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal appear likely to contest yet another grand slam final as they head into their respective 2008 Wimbledon semi-final fixtures today.

Roger Federer has the toughest task of the two, having drawn comeback kid Marat Safin in the semi-finals. Safin has previously beaten Federer in a grand slam, including his win over Federer on his way to the Australian Open title in 2005.

With five Wimbledon titles already to his credit, Roger Federer goes into the game as bookies favourite. However Safin may provide good value as a two times grand slam winner, particularly in the outright winner betting markets where he is priced 33/1.

Meanwhile it’s hard to imagine Rafael Nadal having much difficulty defeating Reiner Schuettler in the second 2008 Wimbledon semi-final. Nadal is short odds favourite at 1/33 while Schuettler will pay out 10/1 if he engineers an unlikely upset.

Nadal will have the weather on his side this year, after being forced into a packed and ultimately debilitating schedule last year due to rain. The Spanish star is well rested after a rain free Wimbledon, but still cautious about his prospects for the semi-finals.

"I'm going to have a difficult match against Schuettler because he is playing well,” Nadal said of the looming confrontation. “If he is the semi-finals, it is because he is playing very well. I don't want to think about the final. Not yet.”