Ivo Karlovic will be back in Doha action one day after upsetting Novak Djokovic, as the 6’11” Croat is set to face David Ferrer. Tomas Berdych and Andreas Seppi are also part of semifinal Friday.
(7) Ivo Karlovic vs. (4) David Ferrer
Ferrer and Karlovic will be squaring off for the fifth time in their careers when they meet in the semifinals of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open on Friday. The head-to-head series (all on hard courts) stands at 3-1 in favor of Ferrer, who just recently downed the big-serving Croat 7-6(5), 6-4 last fall in the Vienna quarterfinals. Karlovic’s lone scalp of the Spaniard came at the 2011 Indian Wells Masters via a 7-6(3), 6-3 decision, which was preceded by Ferrer victories in 2007 and 2010.
Karlovic, of course, is coming off a 6-7(2), 7-6(6), 6-4 quarterfinal upset of Novak Djokovic. Thus continues a solid run of form for the 35-year-old, who has now guaranteed a top 24 seed at the Australian Open. Ferrer earned his place in the last four with a three-set win over Thiemo De Bakker followed by straight-set dominance of Fernando Verdasco and Dustin Brown. The fact that Djokovic had not seen Karlovic’s serve in a match situation since 2008 may not have helped, whereas Ferrer has had far more recent–and successful–experience against it.
Pick: Ferrer in 3
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(3) Tomas Berdych vs. Andreas Seppi
Seppi nearly bowed out of the tournament in the first round before overcoming Leonardo Mayer 5-7, 7-6(4), 7-6(4). The 45th-ranked Italian proceeded to capitalize on a favorable draw, seeing off Joao Souza and Ivan Dodig (Dodig had emerged from Rafael Nadal’s eighth of the bracket).
But this may be where the good luck ends for Seppi. He is 2-6 lifetime against Berdych, has not defeated the Czech since 2008, and has lost 10 consecutive sets in the head-to-head series with only two of those 10 going to tiebreakers. Berdych has been on a roll this week, destroying Denis Istomin, Blaz Kavcic, and Richard Gasquet. The No. 3 seed has held all 25 of his service games while being required to save only one break point.
Pick: Berdych in 2
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who and in how many?
ferru and the bird in two.
Wasn’t that a cop show back in the 80’s?
Be sure to tune in for a very special Ferru and the Bird, Friday on ABC,
Jeez Ferru, about time you started making the late rounds, it’s been a while…………….
Vamos!
his push for London is starting now
Blimey, when did Karlovic learn to play tennis, hehehe? He’s playing out there!
approximately 29 years ago
No way. Until a week ago he could not return this well and moved like a pregnant giraffe. Now, he’s playing like a pro!
LMAO, at how well Karlovic is playing………..
1st set Karlovic…………76
GSM Ferru.
Wow, Karlovic played a blinder………..
Both top Spaniards in finals at Doha…………..
Ricky, there’s an important dubs final taking place in Doha right now, why is there no thread on it??
Rafa/Pico take the first set 63………
this thread will do just fine
But we want a special report on the Doha Doubles Champions.
Rafa wins a trophy on his first ATP event back from a long lay-off.
#DohaDoubles
#Champion
all-time leader in Doha doubles titles
Rafa is the Sheikh of Doha Tennis.
This is Rafa’s 9 doubles trophy. Nine more than some people have won in their career.
How many of those are Olympic Gold though.
#DoYou???
Three of them are M1000s and Fed only has one M1000 title ply the OG.
The Doha doubles champions:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B67u_GbIgAALsJJ.png
Vamos !!
http://www.funutilities.com/files/smileys/07/02/86.gif
Team cuteness!!!
Love the orange colour t-shirt on Rafa………………
The trophy ceremony
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPjJglNJWbo
This is a better comeback for Rafa than the one at Vina del Mar…………..
Apparently Roig is very pleased with his level of play.
Did they play to a packed house?
Spectators at the beginning of the match:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B67VbYKCcAAtJf1.jpg
Must’ve been bad traffic.
#DoYou???
That’s great for the coin-toss. That’s as full as it got for the whole of Djoker’s match.
Boom Boom upset with Tiggy now…
http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2015/01/too-soon-panic/53574/#.VLA3pivF8TV
https://twitter.com/TheBorisBecker/status/553611803226554369
^^^^My comment is awaiting moderation.
Boom Boom upset with Tiggy now…
http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2015/01/too-soon-panic/53574/#.VLA3pivF8TV
TENNIS.com @Tennis
After early defeats in Doha, how concerned should we be about Rafa & Nole? From @SteveTignor:
Boris Becker âś” @TheBorisBecker
@Tennis always amazed how u can compare oranges with apples …we love #Rafa but totally different position he is coming from than #Novak
#HowManyTimes???
https://twitter.com/RafaelNadal/status/553652430546931713
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B6738S-IUAAtk-M.jpg
Rafa Nadal âś” @RafaelNadal
Buen final de semana… Y aĂşn más si es con un buen amigo! @picomonaco
hawkeye63
January 9, 2015 at 8:43 pm
You have started to stalk Rafa!
http://www.sherv.net/cm/emoticons/shocked/shocked-eyes-smiley-emoticon.gif
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B68ISDVCQAAK8ag.png
I am glad to see that Rafa and Monaco won the doubles final! This is a nice way to end the tournament after Rafa crashing out in his first match. He got more match play, more time on court and a title!
Rafa has won 9 doubles titles, Roger 8 titles, Murray 2 titles, and Djokovic 1 title.
#LeaderOfThePack
#GOATResumeBuildingUpNicely
I think I’m seeing double.
#YouSerious?
Weeeeeeeeeell, if Fedfans can include Fed’s having 2 sets of twins in his GOAT resume, why can’t I include doubles wins for Rafa, which are actual tennis pursuits??
🙂
You make a good point.