Llodra/ Zimonjic defeat Mirnyi/ Nestor in Men’s Doubles semi-final – French Open 2011
Number four seeds Michael Llodra and Nenad Zimonjic defeated second seeds Max Mirnyi and Daniel Nestor to book their place in the final of 2011 Men’s Doubles French Open.
The match was played on an extremely competitive note with both teams trying to assert pressure over one another. Llodra/Zimonjic made the first move in the match by breaking the serve in third game of the opening set as they dented
the rival team’s confidence levels. Mirnyi and Nestor were also up for the challenge and fought bravely as they broke straight back to shift the balance of the match.
After both teams exchanged one more serve break each, the set went into a tie-breaker. The French/Serbian team showed no signs of nerves in the tie-breaker as they clinched four straight points to wrap up the opener 7-6 (4).
The second set was also played on a very similar note as both teams put in their hundred per cent to take control in the match. Having gained the psychological advantage with the set score lead, Llodra and Zimonjic continued to
pressurize the opponent team with some high quality tennis.
With a break of serve in sixth game of the second set, they took a handsome 4-2 lead. Looking down and out, Mirnyi and Nestor showed remarkable fighting ability as they broke back to force the second set into the tie-breaker as
well.
With some excellent team work combined with exception clay court skills, the fourth seeded pair was able to earn a 6-4 lead in the tie-breaker. Llodra then dashed a big forehand winner down the line to end the match that lasted
for nearly 2 hours. The pair will now face the winner from the other semi-final match-up between the Bryan twins and Cabal and Schwank in the final.
Llodra and Zimonjic will be hoping to maintain their current form in the finals as well to lift their first doubles Grand Slam trophy but consistency is going to be the key in the biggest match of them all.
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