Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic both advanced to the semifinals with wins on Thursday. The two, who also met in last year’s US Open title match, have a lot on the line, including the No. 2 ranking. Should Djokovic take down Federer and proceed to win the US Open title on Sunday over Rafael Nadal or Andy Murray, Djokovic would assume the No. 2 ranking in the ATP rankings. As if it hasn’t looked weird this tournament to see Federer seeded No. 2, how about No. 3 Roger Federer in the next major event?Federer played in the day match, facing off against World No. 130 Gilles Muller. Although Federer won in straight set fashion, he was forced to grind it out in order to advance. Muller saved six set points in the opening frame before the four-time defending champion converted and won 7-5 in the first set tie-break. Federer only broke once in the match despite eleven chances, but it was a critical break as he opened the match up after he broke and eventually took the second set. Then they went to a third set-tie break and Muller actually held at 5-3 lead in the breaker, but Federer won four straight points to seal the match, 7-6 (5), 6-4, 7-6 (5).
In the highly anticipated night match between Djokovic and No. 8 seed Andy Roddick, Djokovic jumped out early by breaking Roddick’s often untouchable serve three times in the first set. Despite getting down two sets to love, Roddick used four consecutive aces at the end of third to send the match into a fourth set. Roddick then broke Djokovic at 3-3 in the fourth and held a 5-3 lead. He had a chance to send it to five and was actually serving up 5-4, 30-0, but the Serb managed to break back (for a remarkable fifth time in five chances) and eventually took the set into a tie break. Djokovic closed things out and set Roddick packing, with the No.3 player advancing with a 6-2, 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (5) victory.
Federer and Djokovic will now meet for the ninth time in their careers, with Federer holding a 6-2 all-time series lead, despite splitting the last four matches. Federer won in their most recent contest, but Djokovic won in their last Grand Slam meeting, a semifinal match at this year’s Australian Open. The two will battle for a spot in the final against either the top-ranked Nadal or the soon-to-be No. 4 ranked player Murray.
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2 comments:
Roger wasn't really convincing in his quarterfinal. He think he's going to lose against Djokovic. roddick shouldn't have made that comments about djokovic. It's not his business as long as it didn't happen against him. I felt really sorry for Djokovic when the crowd was booing him.
Both Roger and Djokovic have looked a bit vulnerable these last few rounds. Should be a good match.
Roddick shouldn't have made those comments, I agree. I always think it's funny when they say they were "joking" or "kidding." Even if you were, you can't avoid what you have said once you've said it.
I feel a bit bad for Djokovic, but he knew what he was saying to the American crowd so he kinda brought it upon himself.
Great semifinal matchups today!
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