2010 Shanghai Rolex Masters; Highlights from Friday
World number two Novak Djokovic will meet the Swiss tennis maestro Roger Federer for the 17th time on Saturday in the semi final round of the 2010 Shanghai Rolex Masters. Roger has a 10-6 advantage, however was unable
to convert two match points in the five setter semi final at the United States Open in New York.
The second seed Novak made his way into the semi final in Shanghai after getting the better of Guillermo Garcia Lopes from Spain on Friday.The final match score was 6-2, 6-3. The clash concluded in a time period of seventy seven
minutes in China. The Serbian as a result of this victory has improved his match record of 4-0 against his Spanish foe.
The twenty three year old Djokovic after the match said on Friday, "I felt great on the court today. Garcia Lopez has been playing some great tennis in last couple of weeks, beating Rafael at the Thailand Open. I was aware of his
speed on the court. He hits the ball really well from the baseline.”
The Monte Carlo resident further added, “He made me work for the points. Even though it appeared comfortable at two and three, I had to really be aware of the pace of the ball that was coming from the other side of the net."
Djokovic who won his 18th tour level crown last week at the 2010 China Open Men’s singles competition in Beijing after getting past David Ferrer, blasted a total of four aces and won sixty nine percent of his service
points versus his inform opponent. Garica, on the other hand has won ten of his last twelve clashes on the Asian swing. Currently ranked number thirty five in the world, Garcia lifted his second ATP World Tour crown at the PTT Thailand Open after brushing
aside Jarkko Nieminen two weeks ago in Bangkok.
In other action, the Swiss tennis maestro, Roger Federer knocked out Robin Soderling of Sweden in a two setter quarter final match of the Shanghai Rolex Masters to confirm his semi final berth in China. The final match score was
6-1 6-1.
World number five Robin Soderling didn’t put up any substantial fight against the twenty nine year old Federer who easily got past the fifth seed Swedish on Friday.
Roger has been playing some great tennis right from his opening match in Shanghai and he continued his excellent form against Soderling on Friday as well. The Swede looked totally out of touch and was no match for the outclass
quality of Federer’s serve and timing in China.
Both of them split the first two games of the clash before Roger took the next ten as Robin started to bleed games with worrying regularity.
Soderling did manage to save the whitewash in the decisive set however the Swede was put out of his misery during the seventh game as the Swiss closed out the battle boasting sixty two percent success on his opening serve.
The sixteen time Grand Slam champion, Roger Federer completed his progress in just fifty three minutes on Friday, to set up a semi final battle with Novak Djokovic.
The Serbian prevented two match points in defeating Federer in the final four of the United States Open back in September.
“Today was a quick clash however tomorrow is against Djokovic which will not be based on fitness, it will be in the details. It will be a bit more tactical, with more rallies, and more interesting," said Federer, who will be looking
to take revenge for his five setter loss at the hands of the Serbian in New York last month.
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