This is going to be a very interesting semifinal. Nole is definitely the strongest player on tour. He is super fit, full of confidence and he has found the right recipe to win slams. David desperately wants to achieve his career long dream to win a slam.
Nole’s path
The Serb had an interesting path to the semis as he defeated in straight sets Mathieu, Harrison (a 6-1 6-2 6-3 trash) and Stepanek before having the insane 5 hours match with Wawrinka (1-6 7-5 6-4 6-7(5) 12-10).
The match with the Swiss should have cost the tournament for Nole, but he managed to recover so well to defeat Berdych (a tough customer that played a poor match here) in just 2 hours and half. The length of this match may prove really important for Nole to get to the semis relatively fresh and have a clear shot to the final.
Ferrer’s path
David’s path was relatively easy till the quarters. The Spaniard beat Roches in straight sets, Smyczec in 4, Baghdatis and Nishikoi both in comfortable 3 sets before a tough one with Almagro.
David really struggled with his compatriote to win 4-6 4-6 7-5 7-6(4) 6-2 playing a terrible tennis (in great contrast with his previous matches) and to have to cope with Nicolas serving 3 times for the match. The “good” news for David is that this wasn’t a 5 hours match to play “only” 3 hours and 44 minutes.
Head to head
It’s 9-5 for Nole, 4-0 for the Serb in Slams (2-0 at the Australian Open).
These two played last year in Melbourne with Djokovic winning a comfortable 6-4 7-6(4) 6-1 in the quarters.
|
2012 U.S. Open |
Hard |
Djokovic |
Ferrer |
2-6 6-1 6-4 6-2 |
1/2 |
|
2012 Miami |
Hard |
Djokovic |
Ferrer |
6-2 7-6(1) |
1/4 |
|
2012 Australian Open |
Hard |
Djokovic |
Ferrer |
6-4 7-6(4) 6-1 |
1/4 |
|
2011 London |
Hard |
Ferrer |
Djokovic |
6-3 6-1 |
Robin |
|
2011 Madrid |
Clay |
Djokovic |
Ferrer |
6-4 4-6 6-3 |
1/4 |
|
2010 Beijing |
Hard |
Djokovic |
Ferrer |
6-2 6-4 |
Final |
|
2009 Davis Cup, ESP-SRB, 4-1 |
Clay |
Ferrer |
Djokovic |
6-3 6-3 7-6(4) |
Rubber |
|
2009 Dubai |
Hard |
Djokovic |
Ferrer |
7-5 6-3 |
Final |
|
2008 Australian Open |
Hard |
Djokovic |
Ferrer |
6-0 6-3 7-5 |
1/4 |
|
2007 Shanghai |
Carpet |
Ferrer |
Djokovic |
6-4 6-4 |
Robin |
|
2007 U.S. Open |
Hard |
Djokovic |
Ferrer |
6-4 6-4 6-3 |
1/2 |
|
2007 Monte Carlo |
Clay |
Ferrer |
Djokovic |
7-5 6-4 |
Third |
|
2007 Indian Wells |
Hard |
Djokovic |
Ferrer |
6-3 6-4 |
1/4 |
|
2004 Bucharest |
Clay |
Ferrer |
Djokovic |
4-6 6-4 6-4 |
Second |
Our pick is Djokovic in 4.
Last years’ semi between Djokovic and Ferrer at the US Open – their last match
