Aisam, Bopanna crash out of Cincinnati

Duo thrashed in quarters as Federer, Nadal also bow out.

CINCINNATI:

Aisamul Haq Qureshi and his Indian doubles partner Rohan Bopanna crashed out of the ATP Cincinnati Masters, losing to fourth-seeds Michael Llodra and Nenad Zemonjic 6-3, 6-2 in the quarter-final.

The contest was a one-sided affair, with Llodra and Zimonjic serving brilliantly to make a place in the semi-finals as the Indo-Pak Express rue another missed opportunity before the US Open.

Djokovic survives scare

Meanwhile, world number one Novak Djokovic survived a scare before easing through to the last-four, but Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer’s US Open preparations hit a snag.

Djokovic outlasted Frenchman Gael Monfils to win 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, with the Serb relieved at coming out victorious.

“It was a very physical match, but I hung in there,” he said. “It was intense.”

Meanwhile, world number two Nadal was well beaten by American seventh-seed Mardy Fish 6-3, 6-4, who next faces Briton Andy Murray, who cruised past France’s Gilles Simon 6-3, 6-3.

Nadal did not making any excuses for his poor show.

“It was an unlucky week for me with the burned fingers,” he said. “I lost because Mardy played better than me.”

Earlier, Swiss maestro Federer crashed out to eighth-seed Tomas Berdych 6-2, 7-6, who claimed his third straight victory over the third-seed.

Meanwhile, fourth-seed Maria Sharapova rolled into the semi-finals beating Samantha Stosur 6-3, 6-2. Vera Zvonareva put away Daniela Hantuchova 6-3, 7-6.

Andrea Petkovic advanced, defeating Nadia Petrova 7-5, 6-1.







Published in The Express Tribune, August 21^st, 2011.