Roger Federer vs. Novak Djokovic semi-final – BNP Paribas Open 2011 Preview
Former world number one Roger Federer will take on Novak Djokovic of Serbia on Saturday in a semi-final of the BNP Paribas Open 2011 in California.
Federer eased past Stanislas Wawrinka with a 6-3, 6-4 victory in the quarterfinal and improved his record against his Swiss compatriot to 8-1. Although the world number two was two break points down in the opening game, he came back strongly to clinch a
crucial serve break in the very next game to lead the set score 1-0. He then required just one more serve break in the next set to book his place in the semi-final.
Djokovic on the other hand, took on Frenchman Richard Gasquet in the round of 8. The Serbian had won all of his previous matches at the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in straight sets. However, any hopes of doing so were put on hold when Gasquet broke the Serbian
to lead the set 2-0.
However, the world number three Djokovic showed his supremacy and determination and bounced back by winning next six straight games to take the set 6-2. The second set was played on a similar note. Despite being 0-3 down in the set, he was able to regroup
himself to go on a five-game winning streak and then held on to his serve to seal the match 6-2, 6-4.
“I try to get out of trouble, that’s for sure,” said Djokovic. “He started off really well both sets. I was behind, break down, but I managed to make the crucial break and come back to the match. I felt the ball well, especially on the return games. First
serve percentage was quite a little bit low, and then towards the end of the match was better.” Djokovic thus advanced to the semi-final for the first time in Indian Wells since his 2008 triumph.
The two players faced each other in the semi-final of Australian Open 2011 in January when Djokovic beat the Swiss in straight sets to win his second Grand Slam.
The Serbian, who is undefeated so far in the 2011 season, then got the better of Federer in the final of Dubai Duty Free to earn his second successive win of the season over Federer. Djokovic will secure the world number two ranking if he manages to overcome
Federer in their important semi-final encounter.
Although Federer leads the head to head record 13-8, the Serbian has definitely enjoyed more success in recent times coming out victorious in their last two encounters. In addition, Federer has been very active on the tour lately and besides his semi-final
appearance in the singles competition, he will play the doubles final with Stanislas Wawrinka. Having played a lot of tennis the Swiss maestro might be a bit tired and fatigued as he faces his faces Djokovic in the semis and might lose the match in three sets.
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