Janko Tipsarevic eases past Kei Nishikori into title match – Malaysian Open 2011
Janko Tipsarevic, world No.17, mounted against the world no.54, Kei Nishikori, today Saturday, 1st October, as the two collided for the semi-final match of Malaysian Open 2011. Playing on hard blue circuit, Centre court
at Putra Stadium, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, the Serbian shovelled away winning the match 6-4, 6-3, in an hour and 49 minutes to walk on to the final round of the ATP Tour 250 event.
Although Tipsarevic had his ranking way above the 21-year-old, he still had his doubts on winning the fixture. That is because the Japanese World No.54 had already struck out the top seed, Nicolas Almagro, out of the event and
had been reputed as a comeback winner. However, Tipsarevic played superb to mumble through and into the final round.
Opening up first for the semi, Nishikori went off serving out the first game and rolling down the scoreboard, 1-0. Following the Japanese 21-year-old, Tipsarevic levelled up next and switched the serve. Rallying out one game each,
the two levelled up again at 2-2 before the Serbian exploded.
Going Ballistic, the Serbian broke the Japanese world No.54 in game 5 and served out the next to lead the set 4-2. With 2 more games to win for the set, Tipsarevic served out two out the four games, and ended the set winning, 6-4.
Moving on with set 2, Nishikori, aiming to prove his reputation of a comeback winner, served the first game and fell short. Breaking the 21-year-old early in the set, game 1, the world No.17 took the lead as he served out the next
game to lead the set 2-0.
Nishikori did cut the lead to 1-2, winning game 3, however, could not break back to level up. Mustering through the set, the Serbian 27-year-old kept on winning on his serve and added another win to his lead winning game 4, 1-3.
The 21-year-old pulled back every time his rival took lead, however, was unable to equal the score.
With score now at 2-4, Tipsarevic blistered game 8 with 3 game points and broke the Japanese world No.54 next, game 9, to end the set winning 6-3, and the match in straight sets.
Through to the final round of the Malaysian Open 2011, the Serbian world No.17 now aims to finish off the ATP Tour 250 event in style as he faces Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis in the title match.
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