September 06, 2008
Epic Semifinals In Store for US Open
By Tim JoyceThe last time the US Open semifinalists represented the four top ranked players in the world was 1992, when Jim Courier, Stefan Edberg, Pete Sampras and Michael Chang met in the penultimate round of the championship. On that Super Saturday, eventual tournament winner Edberg's gripping, epic five-hour victory over Chang became the signature match of that year's Open.
For the first time since that thrilling day, this year's semifinalists clearly comprise the top four players in the world - even if Andy Murray, ranked sixth, is technically outside the top four in terms of computer rankings. But no observer of the sport would dispute the fact that this quartet of players - Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Murray - are the current best in the world. And with dramatic storylines ready to be played out, Saturday (or Sunday depending on the inclement weather) should turn out to be one of the most exciting tennis days in quite some time, indeed worthy of a Grand Slam championship.
SEMIFINAL #1
(2) Roger Federer vs. (3) Novak Djokovic
Head to head: Federer leads 6-2
This may very well turn out to be the match of the tournament. This is the fourth meeting in a Grand Slam event between the two and Djokovic will look to avenge last year's loss to The Roger in the finals. In that match, Novak practically gave away the first two sets in a clear case of nerves. But then at the Australian Open in January, Djokovic ended Federer's extraordinary streak of 10 straight Grand Slam finals appearances by taking out Roger in straight sets in the semis, en route to the Serb's first major title.
Djokovic has had a difficult tournament, battling injuries, but he looked very strong in defeating Andy Roddick on Thursday night. It was clouded somewhat by his post-match comments when he spoke of the insult he felt when he thought that Roddick didn't take his injury claims seriously enough. The crowd reacted negatively and the once very popular Djokovic will most assuredly not have the crowd on his side today.
And what a change this will be for Federer. Roger has never been the underdog at a major tournament until now (excepting on clay) and he's actually displayed more emotion on court during these two weeks than he's had over whole years. His play has been inconsistent and he survived a scare in the fourth round against Igor Andreev. But he rebounded well to defeat a spirited Gilles Muller in the quarterfinals in three close sets.
Federer will have to step it up tremendously to have a chance against Djokovic. Look for the Swiss stylist to revert to his method of drawing a player into net with short slices to the backhand side. Djokovic is still not completely comfortable in the forecourt. Federer will need to try to draw Djokovic to net with his trademark short slices to mid-court as Djokovic is still not as capable at net as he is with all his other shots - though he is rapidly improving. Federer cannot win a battle from the baseline so he will need to use his superb shot making ability to the finest.
The biggest question will be how much the likely raucus crowd disturbs Djokovic. My heart wants a seventh Federer-Nadal Grand Slam final but I'll stay consistent and stick with my original prediction of Djokovic reaching the championship match. This is a very, very difficult matct to call. Either way, this should be a classic and one to savor.
Prediction: Djokovic in 5 sets
SEMIFINAL #2
(1) Rafael Nadal vs. (6) Andy Murray
Head to head: Nadal leads 5-0
Andy Murray has had - finally - the near breakout year that so many have been forecasting for years. The victory that catapulted the sometimes-surly Scot was in the fourth round at Wimbledon when he overcame a two-set deficit to defeat that other underachieving, promising player Richard Gasquet of France in five sets and reach the quarterfinals. Though he was summarily dismissed by Nadal in straight sets the following round, Murray maintained a high level of play over the summer, culminating with his first significant tournament victory, the Masters Series title in Cincinnati.
In the quarterfinals on Wednesday night Murray vanquished young superstar Juan Martin Del Potro, frustrating the Argentine with slow pace and drop shots in a close four-set victory. However, Murray will have to do much more to even compete with Nadal today. The No. 1 Spaniard has fast developed into an all-court powerhouse and his foot speed will not allow Murray to get away with the same tactics he used to defeat Del Potro. Murray must try to be as aggressive as possible on Nadal's second serve - one of Rafa's few weaknesses - to have a chance of victory.
Nadal, for his measure, will try to exhaust Murray and extend rallies as much as possible. Look also for Nadal to approach the net at opportune times more frequently than one would expect, surprising and frustrating Murray. Tactically speaking, this should be a fascinating encounter but Nadal should triumph in comfortable fashion.
Prediction: Nadal in 3 sets
