Men’s Semifinal: [2] Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs. [42] Fernando Verdasco (ESP)
Djokovic led their head-to-head 8:4 coming into this match; however, this season’s Verdasco is a completely different player from the one that Djokovic encountered here last year in the round of sixteen. Verdasco perhaps did not quite believe that he could beat Djokovic despite taking the first set 6-4. In tennis there is no room for doubt, the slightest distraction and you lose your focus and rhythm. Verdasco had his chances to close this out in straight sets, but he just could not get by his own mental block. In the end, Djokovic did what we have come to expect; he fought back to win 4-6, 7-6(7), 6-3.
Men’s Semifinal: [1] Andy Murray (GBR) vs. [10] Tomas Berdych (CZE)
Murray had beaten Berdych the last six times they met and led their head-to-head 10:6 coming into this match; however, the mindset of both players was different coming into this encounter. Murray is now the reigning number one player and Berdych was hoping to continue the positive start to his season. Unfortunately, things did not go the way Berdych hoped. Murray bent on continuing his dominance over him quickly took the first set 6-3. Berdych also had to contend with a heavily taped right ankle, a potential reason for his less than stellar performance today. In the end there was really no competition, Murray despite dropping his serve in the second set, never looked threatened. He won 6-3, 6-4. Murray and Djokovic will battle for the title. Djokovic wants revenge and to regain the number one ranking; however, more important, he needs to win tomorrow to defend his title or he will lose valuable ranking points. Will Murray dethrone the defending champion?
SOURCE OF IMAGES: Channel News Asia/AFP & Spanish News Today
