Five time champion Rafael Nadal reached the French Open last eight yesterday as title rival Novak Djokovic enjoyed a major psychological boost when he was handed a free pass into the semi-finals.Top seed Nadal enjoyed a 7-5, 6-3, 6-3 win over Croatian veteran Ivan Ljubicic and could next face Roland Garros bogeyman Robin Soderling, the only player to have beaten the great Spaniard in Paris in 43 matches.Djokovic, meanwhile, was excused quarter final duty when scheduled opponent Fabio Fognini of Italy withdrew with a torn left thigh muscle.Nadal, bidding for a sixth French Open title to take him level with Bjorn Borg, has looked a shadow of his usual self in Paris, shaken by the super charged form of Djokovic, who could take his title and number one spot before the week is out."There was a lot of wind today, which made it very awkward," said Nadal."I played better in the last two sets and I am getting a little better as the tournament goes on."He was a break to the good to lead 2-1 in the opening set before Ljubucic, a 2006 semi-finalist, hit back for 3-3. Nadal stepped up the pressure on the Croatian's serve, however, and snatched the set when Ljubicic sent his single-handed backhand wide.
Two breaks in the seventh and ninth games of the second set helped Nadal stretch his lead, the set secured with a smart, down-the-line whipped forehand.A break for 3-1 in the third set seemed to be the foundation that the 24 year old required, but Ljubicic, at 32 the oldest man left in the draw, hit back for 2-3.But an immediate break to love gave Nadal a 4-2 lead and he claimed the tie in the ninth game when Ljubicic again went long with a loose backhand.Fognini, who had been due to play his first career Grand Slam quarter final, suffered a tournament ending injury in his marathon five set fourth round win over Albert Montanes on Sunday.Difficult decision"It's the most difficult decision I've made. It was my first Grand Slam quarter final and I am playing the best tennis of my career," said Fognini, the first Italian man to reach the last eight in Paris since Renzo Furlan in 1995."I was crying last night. I had the treatment and I decided to retire. I had another scan this morning and we knew that to play would aggravate the injury to the left thigh. It was too risky. But this is sport, this is tennis."Djokovic said he felt sympathy for Fognini. "Walkover from Fognini. Bad luck for him, hope he recovers fast. French ninth seed Gael Monfils, a 2008 semi finalist, set up a last eight clash with third seed Roger Federer after defeating Spain's David Ferrer, the seventh seed, 6-4, 2-6, 7-5, 1-6, 8-6.Monfils had led by two sets to one when the tie was suspended on Sunday night and despite squandering three match points in the ninth and 11th games of the decider on Monday, the 24 year old eventually held his nerve.ResultsMen,Rafael Nadal bt Ivan Ljubicic 7-5, 6-3, 6-3 Juan Ignacio Chela bt Alejandro Falla 4-6, 6-2, 1-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-2; Gael Monfils bt David Ferrer 6-4, 2-6, 7-5, 1-6, 8-6.
No comments:
Post a Comment