So we have the line up for both semis: Djokovic – Federer and Nadal-Ferrer.
No surprise whatsoever. It was expected for Nole and Roger to make it to the final 4 (even if they had many problems during their path) and Ferrer was in better mental and physical shape then Murray. We do not mention Rafa… for obvious reasons…
NADAL – ALMAGRO 7-6 (4) 6-2 6-3
The only surprise here is that Rafa conceded 11 games. The Spaniard is in immense form to be a couple of levels above other players. Almagro played a very good match not to concede a break in the first set to bring Nadal to the tie break. From that moment it was game over. Rafa got a 4-0 lead to win the tiebreak at 4. Then the King of Clay had an easy path to victory conceding only 5 games in the last 2 sets. “You cannot expect to win an easy match in the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam, the quarter-finals of Roland Garros,” said Nadal. It was a tough one, but I am through and I am very happy.”… well it looks easy for him…
FERRER – MURRAY 6-4, 6-7, 6-3, 6-2
The partnership with Lendl is not working at all. Andy is as nervous as ever and he did not achieve any kind of progress dring the last months. This is the reality to accept. The Scott was the underdog in this match to lose in 4 sets. A key moment was when the rain broke in the third set when the score was 1 set each and 1-0 up for Murray. “The rain was good for me, because when we start again the court is faster,” Ferrer said. “I think it is better for my game, because I can be more aggressive and hit more winners.”
“My first time in semifinal in Roland Garros, so I feel good,” said Ferrer. “It was a very tough match, and I’m very happy. Maybe it was in important moments I played better than him. I played very good with my forehand.”
“I thought I played some good tennis tonight,” said Murray. “I just didn’t convert. I mean, I had a lot of chances in the last couple of sets on his serve and I lost a lot of really long games on my serve, which didn’t help. He is so solid, so consistent, that if you’re not converting your opportunities, it turns to many long games and then the pressure can build on your serve. He obviously broke me a lot times six the last couple of sets.”
Andy will try to win the AEGON Championships at The Queen’s Club fo the 3rd time next week. “I’ll need to put some good work before Wimbledon, that’s for sure. I was sort of getting a little bit out of breath after some of the longer rallies.”
