It's great that David Ferrer is through, but why is Marat Safin's (who retired long ago) picture added to this article???

Vamos Marat!!!

Never a dull moment for computer glitches, it seems. Pardon our dust- working on a fix. Not a bad visual though...:)

why the hell is Marat Safin pictured?

At least we've now got a chance to refresh our memories and see if JJ looks like him.......;)

With or without a picture of Ferrer, I am happy that he is through to the semifinals. He has a real shot at winning this now. The French fans will be assured that at least one of their countrymen will get into the final.

Morning NNY *waves*
Well, theoretically it could be JJ v. Ferrer in the final, in which case us Brits will probably be able to hear the collective gnashing of teeth..........;)

deuce,

Hey! It's after 1:00 am here! Time to go to sleep! Simon looked good against Berdy. I am thinking this might be it for JJ. But you never know when a guy like that gets this far.

Honestly, could anyone have predicted this final four?

You need to get ready for London! :)

In spite of the fact the French crowd can behave appalling badly (at its worst at RG) they do appreciate good tennis and many of them are very knowledgeable and on balance the Bercy crowd have been supportive of both players even when its been a Frenchman against another nationality. They enjoy nothing better than a really good scrap. The same cannot be said of the commentators - they are beyond partisan.

Has Ferrer changed into Safin?

The TT photo library is in need of an overhaul!

Well done David - good luck for the semis.

Vamos!

Ferrer just turned back into Ferrer

#TheDeathOfMarat

Yay! There's David Ferrer! I was wrong about the French being assured of at least one of their countrymen getting through. I was thinking that Simon and Llodra would play each other. That was obviously incorrect.

I think this was a solid win for Ferrer. He seemed to be in control all the way. I thought Llodra seemed tired toward the end of the match.

I will also say that the French crowd was decent in these two semifinal matches, especially given that their guys didn't win.

yeah they were "decent." Quite GOOD by their standards!

still terrible by anyone else's standards, tho!

Do you guys realise if Ferru wins Paris and makes the semis at WTF he could supplant Rafa as #4? Rafa at #5 could potentially meet Nole/Muzza/Fed in the quarters at Oz2013...............

I can hear the sound of gnashing of teeth from some quarters................and it's not from Rafans.

Ricky,

Absolutely agree with you about the French crowd! :)

ritb,

I hadn't even thought of that! I guess we all knew it could happen, given how long Rafa has been out.

Ricky: It is a cultural difference. It's the way they are. They treat all sport - in fact any contest - as an opportunity to demonstrate approval and disapproval and club supporters send teams of 'noise-makers' to every big event. I know many respectable business men who turn into hooligans at sports events! I have had to become immune to being heckled mercilessly during any match between England and France.

Paradoxically they appreciate the concept of fair play by others even if they dont practice it themselves. The french tennis commentators particularly admired Henman and were always murmuring about his 'fair play'. More recently they bestowed the title of 'le Gentleman' on Wiggo - in spite of him winning the TdF - because of his gesture in slowing everybody down after the multiple puncture incident during one of the races.

#ViveLaDifference

rafaisthebest - doesn't Ferrer have to defend Auckland points before the Australian Open seeding is done?

I am assuming Ferru will successfully defend his Auckland points, Ricky. Remember Rafa will not be adding any points till Oz2013, in fact he will drop WTF points........

Good luck to Ferru, he is having a monster season, deserves all the success.........

honestly I don't think Nadal is going to play the Aussie (pretty sure he won't), so Ferrer will be the No. 4 seed anyway

YES! SOOOOO glad for daveed winning his first Masters - nobody deserved it more. this was as a completion moment for him, just as uso was for muzz.

many congratulations to a brilliant guy and all his fans.

So pleased for David :) :) :)
And if JJ is as could as we all think he'll have plenty more chances.......in 6 years time of course....;)

@rafaisthebest, 11/4/12 6:53 AM

Tomorrow, Rafa will be 735 points ahead of Ferru (6795 - 6030 = 735).
Ferru has to make the final at the WTF, to earn more than 735 points. A player gets 200 points for each round-robin-match win, plus 400 for a semi-final win, plus 500 for the final win.

But, Ferru should also earn points in the Davis Cup final.

Thanks @Augustina08. Remember Rafa has WTF points to defend, which he will not do because he ain't playing...........so it's upside for Ferru whichever way you look.

Ricky, I am holding on to Rafa's word that he will be in Melbourne.........

During the match today one of the commentators said Uncle Toni had just confirmed that Rafa WILL play the Abu Dhabi exhibition match on the 28th December.

^^^just adds to my confidence that Rafa will be in Melbourne, fingers crossed!

@rafaisthebest, 11/4/12 5:49 PM

Rafa has 6795 points without the WTF 2011 points.
Before the AO 2013, Rafa will lose other points, totally 195:
¤ minus Davis Cup 2012 (-150),
¤ minus Doha (-90),
¤ plus Halle (+ 45).

Ferru's 250 points from Auckland (09.01.2012) are not included in his total number of points (6030).

I agree that Ferru might surpasse Rafa in the rankings.

why are Ferrer's Auckland points not included?

Ferrer had won four 250 events this year (including Auckland) but only two are countable, so even if he doesn't play at Auckland next year, he has enough 250 events to make up the numbers.

At the start of 2013, Rafa should have 6690 points, after the DC Final points from last year are dropped off and the Halle points added in. He has to do better then the SF at Doha and Final at AO in order to gain points, or at least reaches the same stages as his 2012 to retain his points. He may drop out of top four even if he retain his points, should Ferrer reach the SF of WTF and AO 2013.

http://www.tennisworldusa.org/Tony-Nadal---Rafas-effort-has-to-be-appr eciated-articolo6852.html

@luckystar, 11/4/12 9:08 PM
You wrote: "He [Rafa] has to do better then the SF at Doha ..."

Is Rafa going to Doha?

If Rafa is ready for AO then he will play in Doha as it's a warm up tournament before the AO and he has been playing there since 2009. I don't think the Abu Dhabi exho is enough warm up for the AO, especially when he's being away from the tours for so long.