Madrid – Semifinals

Andy Murray has reached second consecutive Masters Series final after win over Roger Federer 3-6 6-3 7-5 after almost two-hour match. Federer had a little chance twice to break Murray’s serve in the deciding set: break point at 1:0 and (30-0) at 4:3. Murray took decisive break in the 11th game on the 7th break point in that set. In the following game Murray served two aces (10 aces in the final set!) and finished the match on first match point after Federer’s shaky backhand error. “I am obviously playing great tennis,” said Murray,  “I am happy to be back playing some of my best tennis so quickly after a long break; I just stayed relatively calm and found the big shot at the right time.”
It’s tough to believe Gilles Simon has won 4th match this week in a tie-break of the third set, especially that he did it again, having on the opposite side of the net, the crowd-favourite and world No. 1 Rafael Nadal! Through a set and a half it had been looking like another straight sets victory for the Spaniard. Nadal after winning the first set easily, had chances in two games to take decisive break: 2:1 (40-0), 4:3 (40-30). Simon after amazing rallies managed to hold his serve and break Nadal’s. Nadal broke back but lost his serve immediately. In the 12th game Nadal had double break point to bring on the set to the tie-break but bravely playing Simon won 4 consecutive points and the set to equal the match to one set apiece. At the beginning of the final set Simon saved 6 break points and won a game which lasted 15 minutes! Nadal took a break in the 6th game but Simon rapidly leveled up from 2:4 down to 4:4. The Frenchman like in the previous set broke Nadal in the 11th game but wasn’t able to finish the match despite being two points from victory at 6:5. The drama was continuing in the tie-break: Nadal 3:1, Simon 5:3, 5:5, match point Simon, 6:6, another match point for Simon and Nadal’s backhand passing-shot landed outside the court, but Simon needed his last challenge to check it out. The match lasted 3 hours 22 minutes – the longest three-set match in Simon’s career. The Frenchman beside his tomorrow’s opponent in the final Andy Murray, is the only player this year who has beaten Top 3 players in the world. Simon defeated Djokovic in Marseille, Federer in Toronto and now Nadal in Madrid.
(4)Andy Murray’s  road to the final:
2R – (LL)Simone Bolelli        6-0 2-1 ret.
3R – Marin Cilic            7-5 7-6(2)
QF – Gael Monfils        6-2 6-2
SF – (2)Roger Federer (SUI) 3-6 6-3 7-5
Gilles Simon’s road to the final:
1R – Igor Andreev (RUS) 4-6 6-1 7-6(7) – 4 M.P.
2R – (11)James Blake (USA) 3-6 6-1 6-4
3R – (q)Robby Ginepri (USA) 6-7(6) 6-4 7-6(6) – 2 M.P.
QF – (14)Ivo Karlovic (CRO) 7-6(1) 4-6 7-6(2)
SF – (1)Rafael Nadal (ESP) 3-6 7-5 7-6(6)