Novak Djokovic is 2 matches away from winning his 2nd Wimbledon title in 4 years and reclaiming the #1 ranking.  Grigor Dimitrov is riding a grass court winning streak and playing some of the best tennis of his career.  This should be a fun final for the fans as there is a contrast in styles and both players are charismatic.  Each man has won 3 titles in 2014. Djokovic owns Masters 1000 crowns in Indian Wells, Miami and Rome.  Dimitrov won Acapulco (500), Bucharest and Queen’s Club (both 250).  While Dimitrov’s three prizes have been of lower point values, he has won titles on 3 surfaces in 2014.  Dimitrov has been hard to beat in close matches as he fended off Kevin Anderson in a tight final in Acapulco, he saved a match point against Feliciano Lopez at Queen’s Club and he rallied versus Alexandr Dolgopolov at Wimbledon.  Novak has shown his metal by fending off a spirited charge by Radek Stepanek in the 2nd round and rallying past Marin Cilic in the quarterfinal round at Wimbledon.

Keys: Grigor just defeated a great returner in Andy Murray.  Novak Djokovic is the best returner in men’s tennis today.  That makes Grigor taking care of his own serve quite important.  The Bulgarian must also find ways to pressure Novak’s serve to make the relative serve vs. return battle more even.  Grigor will also have to make intelligent trips to the net as his net game is an area in which he is clearly superior.  Novak needs to make his return of serve and Gumbyesque defense a factor and elicit errors from Dimitrov overhitting or making overly precise attempts to hit lines/angles.

Prediction: As well as Dimitrov is playing, I think Nole finds a way to figure out his younger opponent.  If Dmitrov has truly come of age, he might pull the upset, but I think Novak’s return, defensive abilities as well as his ability yo dictate play more effectively than Murray will lead to a 4 set win.  Djokovic d. Dimitrov 6-4, 3-6, 7-5, 6-4