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  • Surprise Beijing semifinal: James Blake vs. Fernando Gonzalez

    8/14/08 10:41 PM | Jonathan Morgan
    - A big hitting affair in this one as both men are riding high on confidence and will be playing for their countries and a shot at the Gold Medal on Sunday.

    James Blake just recorded his first win over Roger Federer in 8 tries and is looking strong. He is swinging as hard as he can on that forehand side and painting lines. His serve looks impressive while his backhand is solid.

    The exact same can be said for Gonzalez. The Chilean is attempting to follow up on his excellent 2004 Olympic performance where he won a bronze in singles and a gold in doubles. “Forehando” has looked just as sharp as Blake, perhaps even more so. A spectacular forehand that has been on-point all week as well as a solid serve and a penetrating slice have sent him through to the semis.

    This match will all depend on who can get the first strike. Huge forehands should be the order of the day on this fast Beijing court and the points shouldn't last very long. Both men will look to aim for the winner early in the rally and the one who does this will win the point most of the time. The big occasion might get to one of the players, but both are very competent and have been in big occasions like this before. Expect a great match of two men slugging out from the baseline and a deserved winner into the final.

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Comments

VIVA CHILE!

RafaNadalGirl20 , 8/15/08 12:28 AM


Great match , wonderful show off of both, but Fernando was more brilliant.
About the controversy point, i think that anyone who is professional know about spin-effect of the ball that give the sensation of touch the racket, but in fact, gonzales dont move this ball, is the spin-effect, anyways this ball was going to out independent if it was touching or not. So accept the defeat and congratulation to Fernando, Silver medalist

Gran partido, maravillosa demostracion de ambos, pero fernado fue mas brillante. Acerca del punto de controversia, yo pienso que cualquiera que es profesional sabe acerca del efecto de las bollas que da la sensacion que toco la raqueta, pero en efecto gonzalez no mueve esa bola, es el efecto, de todas formas esa bola iba afuera independiente si fue toque o no. Asi que aceptar la derrota y felicitaciones a fernando, Medallista de plata.

Chile , 8/15/08 2:05 PM


I find it so sad how the narrator from MSNBC made such a big deal out of that 'touch' by Gonzalez. He went on and on about how it was so clear. Making the Chilean look like a cheater for not coming forward. But never showed a replay of the play in question to prove it.

This match was such an awesome show. Nerve raking to the end. There is not reason to take merit way from either player. Blake lost against a world class athlete that showed great quality. And that is nothing to be ashamed of.

My best wishes to Gonzalez on the final. Sure has a lot to offer.

Marbles , 8/15/08 3:58 PM


Grandee González wn!!!! Aguantee González, un héroee!! Gigantee magnífico, corazón de chilenoo!! C-H-I....CHI; L-E..LE.. CHI CHI CHI, LE LE LE VIVA CHILEEE!!!!

George , 8/15/08 8:52 PM



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