Since my last post both Djokovic and Nadal had two more wins each. Djokovic over Kohlschreiber and Lopez and Nadal over Verdasco and Zverev. Djokovic defeated Kohlschreiber 7-5, 7-5 which meant he would face the player who he had to pull out against in Dubai due to an eye infection.
I guess he wanted to make a statement in that match because he schooled Lopez 6-3, 6-3 in a devastating display of baseline mastery. Nadal, on the other hand, defeated Verdasco 6-0, 7-6(9) in a rematch of the Australian Open first round this year.
Nadal did well to win that second set tiebreak against a dangerous Verdasco but against Zverev he got lucky when Zverev choked at 7-6(8), 0-6, 5-3 and 40-30 by missing an easy volley to the open court.
I was very impressed with Zverev nonetheless. He is only 18 years old and this will be a good learning experience for him. It will hurt a lot because he was on the brink of the biggest win of his career but in the end it will make him stronger.
I liked everything I saw from this kid. He has a big game and was clutch in the first set tiebreak. Yes he choked at the end but that happens. Especially if you are only 18 years old and playing against a 14-time slam champ.
I think he has a very bright future ahead and I like his game too. In the top half quarterfinal matches which will be played tomorrow Djokovic will play Tsonga while Nadal plays Nishikori. Tsonga defeated Thiem 6-3, 6-2 but Thiem still did well by defeating Sock in the previous round.
You’d expect Djokovic to get by Tsonga who he has beaten 10 times out of their last 11 meetings. As for Nadal against Nishikori that will be interesting because Nadal seems to be getting better but of course Nishikori can beat him.
I hope Nadal wins anyway because I’d like to see a Djokodal semi-final.
- Elsewhere in the Draw
In the bottom half both Murray and Wawrinka is gone after Goffin defeated him. Goffin also won already today againt Cilic so he is the first player in the semis. The quarterfinal that still has to be played is between Monfils and Raonic.
Obviously I favor Raonic there who I also favor to make the final. But who knows. Looking forward to tomorrow’s tennis!
- Highlights
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