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  • Gonzalez battles Berdych for Japan Open quarterfinal spot

    10/3/08 3:37 AM | Ricky Dimon
    - Familiar foes Ferando Gonzalez and Tomas Berdych will renew their rivalry on Friday afternoon in Tokyo. A spot in the semifinals is at stake.

    A quarterfinal clash is a lot more like it for Fernando Gonzalez and Tomas Berdych. Earlier this summer, the Masters Series Cincinnati draw pitted the two players against each other in a shocking first-round ecounter. Berdych prevailed in three sets, but it was the first time the Czech had defeated Gonzalez in four opportunities. Gonzalez got the better of Berdych three times between 2005 and 2006 and did not come close to losing a set on any of those occasions.

    Such is life when dealing with Berdych. He can be awesome at times, but at other times he can look unmotivated and completely unworthy of being anywhere near the top of the rankings. For example, he made a surprise semifinal appearance at the Masters Series Miami back in March, but even since then it has been a struggle. Once ranked No. 9, Berdych now sits at 27th in the world. So far this week he has taken care of Roko Karanusic and Tommy Robredo, both in straights sets.

    Gonzalez--at least usually--is a whole different beast of an opponent on fast hard courts from Karanusic or Robredo. In fact he is not too unlike Berdych; incredible one day, abysmal the next. The Chilean has, however, been far more consistent than Berdych throughout his career. His highlight came at the 2007 Australian Open, where he reached the final, and he has displayed that great form at some points this season. He enjoyed a solid spring on the clay courts, reaching the quarterfinals in Roland Garros, and over the summer he won silver at the Olympics and made it to the fourth round of the U.S. Open.

    This match is simply going to come down to which man is having an “on” day, and Gonzalez has had a lot more of those in recent months. Nonetheless, Berdych has an edge in the serving department and that could be big factor indoors if he puts in a high percentage of first deliveries. If Berdych gets into too many baseline rallies and doesn't play aggressively enough, Gonzalez's huge forehand could take over. Gonzalez will probably lose it mentally for a set, but look for him to come through in three.

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