Sony Ericsson Open: Rafael Nadal vs. Roger Federer – Semi-final Preview
Top seeded Spaniard Rafael Nadal will face 3rd seeded Swiss Roger Federer in the semi-final at the 2011 Sony Ericsson Open at Tennis Center at Crandon Park on 1st of April. In this most awaited match, the
world number one Spaniard will face his arch rival, the former world number one Federer for the first time in America in six years.
The top ranked Nadal overpowered Czech Tomas Berdych by 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 thriller match in two hours and 18 minutes to reach this spot. He was a little bit shaky at time and didn’t show his top notch performance.
world number three Federer barely showed his skills in his last match when his French rival Gilles Simon retired due to neck injury after eleven minutes into the match. However, he still managed to win the first three games in
a row and broke Simon’s serve twice.
The Spanish star had registered an amazing 75-9 win-loss record in past twelve months and had won eight titles. He made a quarter-final berth at Australian Grand Slam and reached the final at Indian Wells before entering at Key
Biscayne. He entered this tournament in great shape and the only set he lost in the event was in his match against Berdych.
The Swiss Master has won 12 of last 13 matches when his opponent is a left hander. He has won 8 of his last 10 matches and is in top form. Federer won the Doha ATP title at the start of the season and later made semi-final berths
at Australian Open and Indian Wells and a final berth at Dubai before losing to current world number two Serb Novak Djokovic in all three events. He entered confidently in this ATP Masters 1000 world tour event and is yet to lose a set. He trashed Czech Radek
Stepanek, 32nd seeded Argentinean Juan Monaco and the booming Belgian qualifier Olivier Rochus in the pre-quarters round.
Both players faced each other 23 times before with dozens of matches being the finals of the tournament. Federer overpowered the Spaniard in three sets at London last year for the title. Later in an exhibition match Nadal triumphed
over the Swiss in straight sets.
Despite having a nerve problem in his last match against Berdych, the Spaniard hammered 8 aces and had a higher first serve share of 68 percent and registered an acceptable 69 percent win on it. He also saved 6 out of 7 breakpoints
and converted 3 out of 7 breakpoint opportunities to his advantage to clinch the match. However he double faulted twice and didn’t play his best.
The Swiss Ace on the other hand had a first serve percentage of 60 percent and earned a convincing 67 percent win on it in an unfinished match. In the three games he played, he converted the two breakpoint opportunities to his
advantage to take a 3-0 lead over the Frenchman. Later Simon retired after consulting with medics due to the neck injury and the Swiss eventually advanced to the semis.
This would be a worthwhile duel to watch and if 29-year-old Federer takes full advantage of several unforced errors the 24-year-old Spaniard commits, he is more likely to overpower the youngster by 6-4, 4-6, 6-3. Regardless of
not playing with his full potential in this tournament, the top Spaniard will pose great difficulties to the Swiss.
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