Novak Djokovic vs Tomas Berdych – Semi-final Preview: Western & Southern Open 2011
World number one Novak Djokovic will be taking on Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic on Saturday for a place in the final of 2011 Western and Southern Open (Cincinnati Open) here in Ohio, United States.
Since the year 2011 has started, Djokovic has been playing on a completely different level. With an unbelievable 56-1 record this year, the Serb is getting stronger with every match he plays. Even the likes of Rafael Nadal, Gael
Monfils and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga have struggled to cope with his ferocious forehand and backhand winners.
The Serbian has set highs standards for himself and he competes hard for every available point whenever he is on the court. Coming back from a set deficit against French Gael Monfils 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 he booked his place in the semi-final
of the prestigious Masters tournament. Earlier, he eased past Radek Stepanek and Ryan Harrison in the first and second rounds respectively.
However, Djokovic is aware of the challenge he will be facing against Berdych. In an interview he said of Berdych;
"It's a very fast court where he plays really well this tournament. He won today against Federer quite comfortably. He was hitting the ball extremely well."
Djokovic’s opponent in the semi-final will be Tomas Berdych, who crushed the defending champion Roger Federer in straight sets.
"I was winning quite easily as far as games and I was able to play something more on his serve," Berdych assessed. "It makes me more confident and then I can go more for the shots, especially on his second serve."
The Czech has a special liking for the hard courts as most of his titles have come on this surface. However, he has been criticized immensely for his inability to make it all the way in the ATP Masters and Grand Slam tournaments.
In 2010, Berdych lost to Rafael Nadal in the final of Wimbledon Championships.
If Berdych can play his A-game under pressure, he can certainly pose some threats to the world number one. However, considering the pair’s most recent meetings, Djokovic is the favourite to emerge victorious.
The two players have met each other seven times on the tour previously with Djokovic leading the head-to-head score by 6-1. In their most recent clash in Dubai, Djokovic secured 6-7 (5), 6-4, 4-2 victory as the Czech retired. Since
2011 Wimbledon, the Czech has been working hard on the weak areas of his game. If Berdych can be consistent with his huge serves, he stands a good chance of taking the match.
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