Maurizio with TennisCast, i'm back with the results from yesterday's round of 16 action. There is little to talk about, the four matches that went down were neither surprising nor that exciting. On paper it certainly seemed like certain classic matches could have been played out. Instead we got a complete blowout, a routine two set match, a three setter with little emotion (maybe excepting the second set), and an ace display. Here's hoping the final four matches will live up to their potential, but we'll go over those in a little bit. First, the results.
So yes I have to admit my mood is affected by this first result from yesterday's fourth round action. We've been happily posting this week and it's amazing how much it had to do with TennisCast Idol Juan Carlos Ferrero's wins. We were fueled with excitement that he was going deeper and deeper into the tournament. Little did we now our momentum would be stoppped by that trophy biting, banana eating, monkey resembling clay court extraordinaire Rafael Nadal. In what can only be called an embarassing loss Ferrero was taken down in not just two straight sets but in an hour and was almost double bageled. He'll definitely keep Ginepri and Blake company as Double Faultin players entering next week. Sad to say but we gotta be honest here. Nadal played an amazing match and it seemed as though he came out with instinct to kill, and to take revenge for his previous loss to Ferrero back in Cinci last year. The crafty, spin-full young Spaniard converted 5 of 7 break points and saved his own 5 break chances. He gave Ferrero no chance to catch his breath, to reboot his game and that was key. Momentum was always on his side and it just seemed like Ferrero was doomed since the moment he served up his first point. After this win, he goes into the quarters without losing a single set. His next opponent is Juan Ignacio Chela, who also won yesterday against Michael Russel 6-4, 6-4. In this routine two set match Juan Ignacio Chela ended the run for surprise fourth rounder Russel. Chela had the key break in the first set and in the second broke twice and recovered from Russels sole break point in the game. Nadal and Chela have played each other twice in 2004 with each winning one game. Chela is playing great tennis this year and has a win under his belt when he took the Acapulco Tournament in Mexico the 26th of February. Each have lost four matches this year but Chela comes in with 5 more wins than Nadal at 14 though that won't stop Nadal from most likely taking this match. We'll have to wait and see how this one turns out.
The next two matches set up the other quarterfinal match at the bottom of the draw between Ljubicic and Roddick. Ljubicic disposed of Nalbandian in a two hour, three setter that involved breaks from both sides of the court. Nalbandian took the first set 6-2 with two breaks and without facing a single break point. At that point things looked like Nalbandian was going to ease through to the quarters. Little did he,nor the rest of the fans, know that Ljubicic wasn't going to give up easily. In the second set the Croatian converted one of his two break chances to take the set 6-4 and ramped up his service games to neglect Nalbandian a chance to break back. He won 93% of his first serves and 60% of his second. He finished off the game with a 6-2 score in the third set. Ljubicic will face Reebok deserter and Lacoste supporter Andy Roddick who toppled French hopeful Richard Gasquet. They had a wonderful first set and Roddick was able to dominate completely in the second using his and our favorite weapon, his serve. There were no breaks or break points in the first set and it finished off with Roddick winning the tie breaker to go up 7-6(3). Roddick used the load of confidence he had and used it to take his sole break point chance to full advantage. He broke and never looked back and easily took the second set 6-3 setting up his 10th clash with the gentle giant. Roddick looks to increase his head to head lead to 4 with this next match. Their last meeting was late in 2006 during the year ending Tennis Masters Cup where Roddick took the hard fought three setter.
Tonight we see the top half of the draw duke out their fourth round matches starting with Djokovic vs Benneteau and then followed in the Stadium court with Davydenko vs Murray, Moya vs. Ferrer and the night match between Haas and Gonzo (Fernando Gonzalez to the few who dunno). You know the deal...check out the link below for ATP Master Series TV for all live streaming action and remember to check back later for all the results. Lets hope these matches bring in more of a spectacle. Feel free to comment on who you think will take these next matches.
