Defending champion Rafael Nadal picked apart American Mardy Fish’s serve-and-volley game, beating him 7-5, 6-1 to set up a hotly anticipated final against Andy Murray at the Japan Open.
Second-seed Murray breezed by David Ferrer 6-2, 6-3 to book his place in today’s final against Nadal, who was hopeful for a title win.
“I hope I play a fantastic match,” said Nadal. “Murray will be difficult so I have to play my best if I want to win.”
The decisive point in the semi-final came in the 11th game of the first set which until then was poised at 5-5. Fish saved the first break point of the match, but his stroke on Nadal’s next advantage point was short, allowing the Spaniard to batter a forehand winner. It was enough for Nadal to take the first set, and cruise thereafter in the second.
Meanwhile, Murray was satisfied with his performance after he dispatched Ferrer.
“I played great from start to finish,” he said. “I served well and didn’t give him chances and used variations on my serves.”
Tsonga crashes out
Elsewhere, Tomas Berdych upset top-seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-4, 4-6, 6-1 to qualify for the final of the China Open. Berdych played an excellent match as Tsonga’s blistering form deserted him.
Marin Cilic also made it to the final as he eased past fellow Croatian Ivan Ljubicic 6-4, 6-3.
Meanwhile, in the women’s semi-finals, ninth-seed Andrea Petkovic brushed aside Monica Niculescu 6-2, 6-0 to set up a final against Agnieszka Radwanska, who defeated Italian Flavia Pennetta 6-2, 6-4.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 9th, 2011.
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