It may have been an uneventful first half of the year for Steve Johnson but he has grabbed the grass court swing by the scruff of the neck and is now looking to make his mark at Wimbledon. No American male has made the quarter-finals at the oldest Grand Slam since Mardy Fish’s 2011 run. An intriguing draw and some red hot form means that Johnson has a real chance to end that drought.
A First ATP Title for Steve Johnson in Nottingham
Since landing on British soil Steve Johnson has come into his element, currently boasting an 8-1 win-loss record. This is all the more impressive given he had won two consecutive matches just once this year. After a couple of eye-catching victories at Queen’s against Richard Gasquet and Adrian Mannarino he suffered his only loss on British turf so far after succumbing to Marin Cilic in the quarter-finals.
It was last week in Nottingham where the American #3 stepped into the limelight. Last Word on Sports contributor Finn Ranson – who was in Nottingham for the tournament – noted how impressed he was with Johnson and this was reflected in his results. John Millman and Vasek Pospisil were the first to be swept aside. Johnson really turned heads with his elimination of top seed Kevin Anderson in a gruelling three set match. In the semi-finals he defeated Italy’s Andreas Seppi to make his second ATP Tour final. His first came in October last year where he lost to David Ferrer in Vienna.
In the final he found himself against the second seed Pablo Cuevas. This was possibly a surprise given the Uruguayan’s clay court specialism. Johnson made the most of his effective power-based game to dismantle the South American in two close sets, getting his hands on an ATP title for the first time whilst simultaneously announcing himself as a dark horse to make the second week of Wimbledon.
Afterwards he admitted in an interview with the ATP that it was “special” to get his first title and that “hopefully there will be many more to come”. The question is whether he can finally convert these results onto the biggest stage. He is currently yet to make it further than the third round at any Grand Slam.
How Could He Become a Wimbledon Quarter-finalist?
He has already navigated his way through the Wimbledon first round with a straight sets defeat of Malek Jaziri. Next he faces the unseeded but dangerous Jeremy Chardy. The Frenchman came through a topsy-turvy five-setter against compatriot Gael Monfils and may find himself frustrated playing what will inevitably be another lengthy match. Johnson’s game is centred around the serve and powerful groundstrokes, whilst returning takes a backseat. This means that tie-breaks are a commonality in matches involving Steve Johnson.
Although it will be a tough contest, the momentum is firmly with the American and that should see him through. Were he to progress he will face either Grigor Dimitrov or Gilles Simon. This is where form will truly have to play its part. Dimitrov actually ended Johnson’s 2015 Wimbledon campaign with a straight sets victory, and the America would be foolish to not use that element of revenge as inspiration should they meet. It will help that the wheels have come off for Dimitrov who has tumbled out of the top #30.
His other potential opponent, Gilles Simon, is another who has struggled to assert himself this year. Last year he was inside the top #10 but is now on the cusp of leaving the top #20. At Queen’s, Simon fell to Kyle Edmund, a player to with which Johnson bares a number of stylistic similarities. Simon holds the only victory between the pair but laboured past Janko Tipsarevic in the first round, doing nothing to convince the doubters that he is no longer a force at the top of the game.
The major obstacle lies in the form of a Swiss player with exceptional pedigree in this neck of the woods. Roger Federer is a possible fourth round opponent for Steve Johnson and he will be all too aware of the difficulties that would pose. However, there is a question mark surrounding Federer given the spat of injuries he has suffered this year. These doubts were exacerbated as he failed to reach the Halle final for the first time since 2002. With the invincibility factor fading, (as has happened with Rafa), could he get knocked out by Johnson or possibly even before? It isn’t beyond the realms of possibility.
What could prevent him from reaching the quarter-finals?
Realistically speaking the odds are stacked against him reaching the quarter-finals. It would take beating at least two of Jeremy Chardy, Grigor Dimitrov, Gilles Simon and Roger Federer across five sets. Given the calibre of opposition that is no easy task. There is also the very simple fact that Steve Johnson has never made it past the second round at Wimbledon before. Therefore victory on Wednesday would be a step into unchartered territory for the American.
Another factor that could play a part is fatigue. Last week in Nottingham he played five matches including the lengthy encounter with Kevin Anderson. This success may come back to bite him, especially if he is forced into a long five setter against Chardy. Johnson’s game means he does not have the luxury of breezing through matches and Grand Slam exhaustion could easily occur.
Steve Johnson is in no way a favourite to emerge from this quarter. It is stacked in terms of recognisable names but in terms of form he is leaps ahead of the competition. It will be interesting to watch this quarter develop over the coming days, with Roger Federer’s health a real focal point of attention. At just 26 years old and at a career high ranking of #29 in the world, it is time for Johnson to finally make his mark, and he may not get a better chance any time soon.
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