Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer survived to set up a blockbuster semifinal on Saturday in Monte-Carlo. Meanwhile, David Ferrer is back in action one day after upsetting Rafael Nadal as the Spaniard is set to face Stanislas Wawrinka.
(4) Roger Federer vs. (2) Novak Djokovic
Federer and Djokovic will be facing each other for 34th time in their careers when they collide in the semifinals of the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters on Saturday afternoon. Djokovic has a chance to even his head-to-head record against Federer for the first time in his career. The 32-year-old Swiss leads the series 17-16, but Djokovic has won four of their last five encounters and 10 of their last 14. They have dueled twice this season; Federer prevailed 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 in the Dubai semis before Djokovic scored a 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(3) victory in the Indian Wells title match.
Both players bounced back from one-set deficits on Saturday. Federer overcame Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 2-6, 7-6(6), 6-1 and Djokovic stopped a red-hot Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 4-6, 6-3, 6-1. Djokovic is the defending champion of this event, having dethroned Rafael Nadal in last year’s final. Federer is looking for his first Monte-Carlo title after finishing runner-up on three previous occasions (all to Nadal). Longer rallies favor the world No. 2 in this matchup and his ability to close them out with his clicking down-the-line backhand may be the difference.
Pick: Djokovic in 3
[polldaddy poll=7979136]
(6) David Ferrer vs. (3) Stanislas Wawrinka
Ferrer and Wawrinka will be squaring off for the 13th time in their careers on Saturday. The head-to-head series stands at 7-5 in Ferrer’s favor and he has won five of their seven previous clay-court encounters. Wawrinka, however, has won their two most recent meetings; 6-1, 6-4 in the 2013 Oeiras title match and 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-1 at the World Tour Finals last fall.
Both players have plenty of momentum this season. Ferrer improved to 22-6 with his second-ever win over Nadal on clay via a 7-6(1), 6-4 decision on Friday. That was preceded by straight-set scalps of Jeremy Chardy and Grigor Dimitrov. Wawrinka, the Australian Open champion, had little trouble with Marin Cilic and Milos Raonic in addition to a walkover past Nicolas Almagro. It’s often difficult to recover emotionally after a huge win, but Ferrer has more than enough experience to do so. Furthermore, clay should once again help him withstand Wawrinka’s superior firepower.
Pick: Ferrer in 3
[polldaddy poll=7979050]
I would like to see Fed wining this but it is unlikely to happen…Nole seems to bring his A game when it matters…and Fed almost lost to Tsonga who is anything but a decent clay court player…his game simply does not fit slow clay…However, Fed should be encouraged by Nole exposing weaknesses against GGL so I do agree with Ricky that Fed may take this to three sets…the last set I expect Fed’s meltdown and lost concentration and Nole coming on top yet again…too bad since I would really like to see Fed finally wining MC…honestly… 🙂
for Wawa vs. Ferrer…well, I would love to see Ferry wining this one…I still have not forgiven Wawa for the complaints to the umpire on the subject of Rafa’s injury during the AO match and I don’t think I ever will…
who’s everyone got?
It would be nice if Federer wins against Novak and Stan or Ferru win it all 🙂
Anybody knows what were Fed and Novaks comments on Rafas loss? I bet they were asked
Djokovic and Ferru………..
Ferru would prob have a better chance against Djoker
that’s how bad he is against Fed
Unfortunately, I do not see Ferru beating either Fed or Djoker (but that’s what I thought before the quarters in relation to Rafa!). Ferru beat Rafa playing his usual game, mental lapses and all. Fed and/or Novak are not going to let him get away with those lapses the way Rafa did yesterday. I hope I am proved wrong, just like I was proved wrong yesterday. There isn’t a more deserving guy out there…………..
@ritb, maybe Fed deserves it as much as Ferru after finishing runner up 3 times.
Gluttony much, @abhirf! Fed has sooo many titles, most more grand than this. Fed has chances on clay, grass and HC; Ferru only has clay really.
I think Novak will win in three sets. Although Fed lost a set to Tsonga, Novak also lost a set to GGL. So they both had to come from behind. I think it’s will be good match and sometimes you don’t know who will win. But Novak is still my pick.
As for Wawa and Ferrer, I am not sure. It’s clay but Wawa can play on this surface. I think it could go either way. I thought about whether Ferrer will be able to recover after his win against Rafa. But I would like to think that Ferrer will want to make the most of this opportunity. I am hedging my bets here, but will pick Ferrer in three sets.
I’m going for Ferrer the Terrier. This is his big opportunity (there cant be that many more in store for him) and I’m thinking WaWa could succumb to nerves when asked to prove AO was not a fluke win.
Ferrer in 3
Both Federer and Djokovic have wavered in their matches this week. But I believe Nole having to fight so hard to win against GGL was more significant than Fed dropping a set against Tsonga. Besides, Roger is a better clay-courter than Nole. There’s still life in the old dog so I’m plumping for Fed to wipe the smirk off Nole’s face.
Federer in 3
Ferru!!
If you had a ticket yesterday at MC then you got an amazing day of tennis…great action all day long in the Kingdom by the Sea. I’m going w/Fed and Ferrer in the Semis.
Good God, Stanimal, what r u on??
Well that puts paid to my theory. I don’t think he’s going to blink now.
Ferru at least owed it to Nadal to do better than this 🙁
What’s the issue with Novak? I’ve just heard the commies on SKY say he needs to manage his time before RG.
Simply sublime from Stanimal……………making Ferru look ordinary out there.
Maybe he’s planning to squeeze in his wedding 😛
Novak aborted his training session this morning, so he might give Fed a WO.
Whhhaaaaat. Tell us more.
is this another smokescreen on his part?
Nole practiced for 10 mins then left to have painkilling injections.
wow
Ferru has at least got his teeth into Stan’s tail.
While BB Tweets about football:
RT @TheBorisBecker: “#bayern today against #Braunschweig in the #German #Bundesliga http://instagram.com/p/m-Kxq_Ef3W/‘
……and Formula One:
RT @TheBorisBecker : “Another pole #position for @lewisking hamilton …. http://instagram.com/p/m-KWspkf24/“
Stan’s level has dropped………..