Djokovic/Berdych Analysis; Semi-Final 2

Djokovic/Berdych Analysis; Semi-Final 2

ATP Masters 1000

Cincinnati, Ohio, USA Open

Centre Court

The stage was set for a mouth-watering 2^nd semi-final which saw the World #1 Novak Djokovic meet Tomas Berdych, seeded #8 in the tournament. Berdych, as one could imagine, would come into this match up with a world of confidence…being fresh from a win against former World no. 1 Roger Federer, having played (in his description), the best hard court match he has played this season.

Novak also faced a tough opponent in Gael Monfils in a Quarter-final clash where Gael Monfils won the opening set 6-3. Novak rose to the occasion to take the following two sets 6-4 6-3 disappointing an out of steam Monfils.

Both men held their opening games almost effortlessly; Djokovic holding comfortably at love and only managed to get one point during Berdych’s opening game. Djokovic held the 3^rd game of the match to put 2-1 on the board regardless of producing the 1^st double fault in the match. An 18 stroke rally during Berdych’s service game gave Novak half a chance at breaking serve after what appeared to be a textbook forehand from Berdych saw the net.

What was turning out to be the longest game of the match yet, it was Djokovic who would get the 1^st opportunity to break serve after deuce #3. Berdych held after 10’ 35’’ with the help of a couple good 1^st serves in. A 2^nd double fault from Novak came during the 7^th game and gave Berdych a glimpse at a chance to break the World #1 serve at 0-30. Berdych broke to lead 4-3 after a rally which produced fine strokes from both players. Novak was out of position during the rally although worked his way back into it, while Berdych on the other end kept coming at him, pushing him further back behind the baseline.

Berdych consolidated the break of serve in a game which could have easily gone the other way considering his 1^st double fault of the match crept in. Novak then served to stay in the opening set at 3-5. He had a fairly comfortable hold to put the pressure on Berdych in the attempt to close out the set.

Djokovic received 2 chances to break back immediately at 15-40. And when Berdych double faulted at 30-40, the board read 5-5, back on serve 1^st set. Novak held to love to lead 6-5, leaving Berdych to force the tie-break. Berdych, who had been stretching his right shoulder since the beginning of the match several times, asked for some painkillers also from the trainer, became more and more exposed during points. Djokovic had 3 set points and claimed the set 7-5 to put a struggling Berdych out of his misery. Berdych retired after that game.

Djokovic will meet Andy Murray in the final.