ESPN analyst Brad Gilbert breaks down today’s Wimbledon men’s semifinals and tomorrow’s women’s finals. Gilbert spoke to The Post’s Justin Terranova yesterday after losing a heartbreaking senior doubles match to colleague Patrick McEnroe.
Q: What do you like about Agnieszka Radwanska’s game that’s got her into the Wimbledon final?
A: She plays very Martina Hingis-like. She has a great ability to change speeds, she is a great counter-puncher. She’s got a very eclectic game, and she’s one of my favorites because she’s called out some of the girls for the grunting. She doesn’t grunt herself and she’s not all about power, and is kind of unique.
Q: Can she beat Serena Williams?
A: The big thing is if Serena continues to serve the way she has, Radswanka is going to have a big problem. Serena was the overwhelming favorite at the Open final and didn’t come through, but if she does everything she can do she’s a two-touchdown favorite.
Q: Is this Andy Murray’s best chance of breaking through in a major?
A: He had a really tough draw to get to the semifinals, and he’s done a really good job of being honest: Even though (Rafael) Nadal was out early he knew it did not matter until he got to the semifinals. But with Nadal out, who has beaten him three times here, and (Novak) Djokovic and (Roger) Federer playing each other, it is significantly different. That’s the hardest six sets to get through considering those three have won the past nine and he has a great record against (Jo-Wilfried) Tsonga.
Q: Why does he have success against Tsonga?
A: Tsonga is a huge server and Murray has great hands on the return and beaten him five out of six. Tsonga is just not very comfortable playing against him.
Q: Who do you like in the Federer-Djokovic showdown?
A: If they are both at the same level: both playing great, both playing average then Djokovic is a 4 1/2-to-5-point favorite (in football betting terms). Djokovic has figured him out. But this is the surface that Roger is great on and so much depends on how well he serves. The last time he beat him — at the French last year — he served amazing.