(Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)
Tommy Haas has made it into the Wimbledon semifinals.
It's not the first time a 30 year old has done it, and it will not be the last. However, the age factor is one of many reasons why Haas must win.
Despite being a longshot to say the least, Haas can indeed beat Roger Federer, the greatest of all-time.
But, to be realistic, he is playing an aging Federer.
It was Haas who had Federer down 2 sets to 0 in the fourth round of the French Open.
Perhaps Federer toyed with him, or perhaps Haas was on the verge of destroying one of the greatest streaks in sports and blinked.
This is vengeance.
Haas had what it took to beat Federer on clay. Does he have the same answer on grass?
Federer was to face Haas in the fourth round of Wimbledon in 2007; however, Haas was forced to retire due to injury, and Federer received more rest. Now, we shall finally see a match I personally have been looking forward to since Roland Garros.
Haas is a 31 year-old professional; yet, he does not perform like an aging athlete.
Before 2004, Haas, in his "prime," made it past the fourth round of a Slam twice, both times at the Australian Open; yet, after taking the whole year off in 2003, Haas has reached three quarterfinals at the U.S. Open, a semifinal at the Australian Open, and now a semifinal at Wimbledon.
Is Tommy Haas like fine wine?
Or perhaps this is a dream—a dream for his only possible shot at a slam championship and his best opportunity of revenge against Federer.
Tommy Haas must pull off the upset of a lifetime, perhaps the upset of an era, and as a Federer fan since he beat Sampras in 2001, I could only congratulate Haas if he pulls out the seemingly impossible win.
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