A Semis Round Up by Voo De Mar

DOHA

Andy Roddick feels himself comfortingly at Persian Gulf. Last year produced his best tennis in Dubai, where won the title beating Djokovic and Nadal in the process, now reaches the final in Doha after 7-6 3-6 6-3 win over Gael Monfils. The Frenchman was leading 5:3 in the first set, had setpoint on serve in the 10th game but couldn’t convert his opportunity to clinch the set.

“It was a very tough match,” Roddick said. “He moves effortlessly and can win some tough and long points. He was using a lot of drop shots today. He mixes his game well.”

Andy Murray has beaten Roger Federer for the 4th time (including an exhibition match) in the last 4 months and on each occasion has done it after dropping the first set! In the tie-break of the first set Federer saved setpoint with gentle backhand volley and finished his first setpoint with beautiful backhand-cross but hadn’t many arguments in the following two sets which Murray won 6-2. Also  in Doha last year, Murray defeated Federer after losing first set 6-7(6) with wasting setpoint… Murray is now 5-2 lifetime against Federer – “It is great to have such a great record against Federer”

BRISBANE

Fernando Verdasco completely outplayed Paul-Henri Mathieu 6-2 6-1 in the first semifinal of the Brisbane International. Verdasco has won all five encounters against Mathieu but the previous four matches were always equal, Mathieu lost two of them in the Grand Slam events despite 2-0 up in sets. Verdasco has played ATP finals on clay, grass and indoor, the final in Brisbane will be his first one on the hardcourt outdoor.

Verdasco’s final opponent, Radek Stepanek managed to win second match in a row after losing the first set 2-6. Similarly like in the quarterfinal (Soderling), Stepanek after losing first set to Richard Gasquet, another two ones won harder than the scoreline would have indictated.

“The whole match, even when I lost the first set, was played to a high quality” said Stepanek.

CHENNAI

20 year-old Marin Cilic advanced to second ATP final after easy win over Martcel Granollers in 1 hour 11 minutes to set up a final meeting with Somdev Devvarman. If Devvarman win the Sunday’s final, will to be the first player from India who has won an ATP final since Leander Paes in Newport 1998 The Hindu didn’t even enter the court because his potential opponent, Rainer Schuettler withdrew due to left wrist injury.

“I don’t want to get ahead of myself, but keep it simple. Cilic played fantastic tennis today (while beating Marcel Granollers). I watched a bit of the action and I expect a good match tomorrow. I will it my best shot” – said Davverman about his first final match up.

Doha – Semifinals

(4)Andy Roddick (USA) d. (5)(WC)Gael Monfils (FRA) 7-6(1) 3-6 6-3
(3)Andy Murray (GBR) d. (2)Roger Federer (SUI) 6-7(6) 6-2 6-2

Brisbane – Semifinals

(3)Fernando Verdasco (ESP) d. Paul-Henri Mathieu 6-2 6-1
(8)Radek Stepanek (CZE) d. (7)Richard Gasquet (FRA) 2-6 6-2 6-4

Chennai – Semifinals

(3)Marin Cilic (CRO) d. (8)Marcel Granollers (ESP) 6-4 6-3
(WC)Somdev K. Dev Varman (IND) d. (5)Rainer Schuettler (GER) w/o