BEIJING— Novak Djokovic proved once again today (Saturday Oct 4, 2014) why he is the world’s No. 1 player. With a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Andy Murray, the Serbian player’s unbeaten record at China Open continues, as he enters his fifth final in Beijing. There was some incredible ball striking by both players but Murray wasn’t able to hit the ‘perfect’ shot it took to have a chance to stay in the match.
Djokovic played every shot with a purpose and Murray’s first serve was absolutely crucial for him to stay in game, as ‘Nole’ seemed not to miss. The Serb used his first break chances to gain the upper hand, lead and win the first set 6:3. It came down to the pressure that Djokovic put on Murray. Djokovic had won their previous two encounters and now leads the head-to-head rivalry 14-8.
The Scot wasn’t successful in attacking Djokovic and needed to play his best tennis today to have a chance of winning. Part of the challenge was to step into the court and take charge of the match. There was a hint of a comeback from Murray in the second set, but he wasn’t able to keep it up. Djokovic was moving forward and backwards so well, anticipating Murray’s shots early and was able to come to the net at the right moments. That earned him two break chances at four all, which he turned in his favour and took the second set and the match 6-3, 6-4.
At the post-match press conference he talked about how he closed in on his victory.
“I felt like I could swing through the ball. I could dictate the play from the baseline better than I did in the previous games in the second set.” Djokovic said.
Berdych Takes Out Klizan
Tennis is at tough sport. One minute you’re on top celebrating the win of your career and not even 24 hours later you are out of the tournament. The difficult three set victory over Nadal, proved too much for Martin Klizan.
The 25-year old Slovak appeared as if he didn’t have anything left in the tank after last night’s win. Although the first set looked very tight, it seemed right from the start that Berdych would come out on top. The difference between winning or losing the first set was just one or two shots for both players. If Klizan had been just a little more conservative with his shots, making a better shot selection, he would have had a better chance of taking the first set. He fought as hard as he could but it wasn’t enough. Klizan did not look as fresh as last night and Berdych used his chances well, not letting go of the match and taking it home 6-4, 6-1.
So what can we expect from the men’s final between Djokovic and Berdych on Sunday?
Thomas Berdych, who has played a great tournament so far and handled the pressure very well this week, will have the biggest test in his final against Djokovic who is looking for his 24th consecutive win in Beijing. Djokovic is clearly the favourite out of the two players, having played each other 17 times in the course of their career, Djokovic has won 15 times.
Berdych has to find a way to win, but what can Berdych do differently? Djokovic returns serves so well and that’s Berdych’s primary weapon. He is rock solid with his shot selection but the Serb is one of the best defenders in men’s tennis. It will be a tough match and the Czech will not only have to hope to have a chance but really believe in it and go for that little bit extra.
Women’s Semi-finals
Petra Kvitova started with an early break in her match with Sam Stosur and continued on to take the first set with 6-3. The 2011 US Open winner Stosur made a better start in the second set and continued her good play after a delay for rain and the roof had to be closed, to take the set 7-5. However, Kvitova playing in prime form dominated the third set with her counter punching style, moving Stosur from side to side and playing winners at the right time. The Czech player produced an impressive win sealing the match with an ace for a final results of 6-3, 7-5, 6-2.
In the other Semi-final Maria Sharapova made it through to the final by beating Ana Ivanovic 6-0, 6-4. The match started off in a very similar fashion to Sharapova’s quarter final match yesterday, with the Russian bashing away to a 6-0 first set win, but that result doesn’t even begin to tell the story of this semi-final.
The Serbian (Ivanovic) playing with so much pressure on serve, picked up the level of her game and started to be more aggressive than her opponent. This was the fourth time that these two players with a very similar game have met this season and each time it has been a battle. Sharapova astonishingly served nine aces and eight double faults in the match today. In her last game alone, at 5-4 and serving for the match, she made either a double fault or an ace to settle each point and after 10 minutes in what was the longest game in the Semi-final, she finally closed the set and the match 6-0, 6-4.
What can we expect from the women’s final on Sunday?
It won’t be just a normal WTA final as there is more then just a title and money at stake in Beijing. Sharapova and Kvitova will be battling for the world No. 2 spot. Both have won Grand Slam titles this year, with the Czech winning at Wimbledon and Sharapova winning at the French Open. With Serena Williams battling a knee injury that made her pull out during the China Open, it is doubtful if she will be able to play again this season. Should she withdraw from Singapore, the 2014 China Open champion could even have a chance of ending as a world No.1 by the end of the year. The two finalists have played each other seven times in their career with Maria Sharapova leading 5-2 and winning the last four encounters.
Peng Shuai - Hlavackova Take Women’s Doubles Title
Andrea Hlavackova and Peng Shuai of China won the 2014 China Open. Peng Shuai is the first and only Chinese professional player (male of female) to reach No.1 in the world in doubles. She is also the Chinese top ranked player in singles. Her partner Hlavackova from the Czech Republic has won 2-Grand Slam doubles titles and together they played an aggressive doubles game, intercepting at the net and taking their chances to take the final 6-4, 6- 4 against the second seeds Cara Black of Zimbabwe and Sania Mirza of India.
Men’s Doubles Semi-final
Julien Rojer, Tecau – Fognini, Mayer 6-4, 6-4
Benetteau, Pospisil – Brunstrom, Monroe 6-7 (5), 6-2, 10 -5.
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