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4/17/09 4:11 AM | Ricky Dimon
Novak Djokovic and Fernando Verdasco beat their opponents and the rain on Thursday at the Masters Series Monte-Carlo. As a result, they won't have to worry about doubling up on Friday.
Good fortune did not come merely in the form of wins for Novak Djokovic and Fernando Verdasco at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters on Thursday.
Djokovic and Verdasco not only won, but they also got their matches in prior to the day's final rain delay. As such, they will not have to play an additional match on Friday prior to their fifth career meeting in the Monte-Carlo quarterfinals. Their head-to-head series is all tied up at two apiece, including 1-1 on clay. Verdasco took their first dirt encounter three years ago in Hamburg before Djokovic got revenge a year later in straight sets at the French Open.
The fifth clash between these two Top 10 stars should turn out to be their best yet, as both men are in outstanding form. Verdasco has played in just four tournaments so far this year--in part due to a foot injury--and he has reached at least the quarterfinals in every single one. The world No. 9 resurrected his stuck-in-neutral career late last season by winning the Davis Cup rubber-clinching singles match, followed by a rigorous offseason workout regimen with trainer Gil Reyes. It paid off in the form of a memorable run to the Australian Open semis, where Verdasco fell to Rafael Nadal in a five-set epic after upsetting Andy Murray in the fourth round. That was preceded by a runner-up finish in Brisbane, and Verdasco followed up his Aussie Open campaign with quarterfinal appearances in both Indian Wells and Miami.So far in Monte-Carlo, the Spaniard has ousted both Philipp Kohlschreiber and David Ferrer in straight sets, the latter in 6-1, 6-2 blowout fashion.
While Djokovic's 2009 campaign has also been very good, for anyone outside of the "Big 4" it would be extraordinary. His notable results include the semifinals in Sydney, the quarterfinals of the Australian Open, the semifinals in Marseille, a title in Dubai, the quarterfinals of the Masters Series Indian Wells, and a runner-up finish at the Masters Series Miami. For the Serb's liking, however, many of the losses (especially in Sydney, Marseille, Australian, and Indian Wells, as well as a season-opening loss to Ernests Gulbis in the Brisbane first round) came far too early in tournaments. Djokovic opened his week in Monte-Carlo on Tuesday with a routine straight-set win over Oscar Hernandez, then defeated Albert Montanes in three on Thursday, although the third was 6-0.
Djokovic would be a considerable favorite against Verdasco on any surface other than clay, but the slow stuff should make this anyone's match for the taking. The key for each man will be to playing aggressive tennis early in each point, thus being able to dictate the baseline rallies that are sure to be long and entertaining on the clay courts of Monte-Carlo. Unless Verdasco's up-and-down serves betrays him, look for the No. 7 seed to pull off a three-set upset. As we saw in Australia, when Verdasco gets on a roll, he is tough to beat. After his utter domination of Ferrer, he looks to be on similar roll.
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Hm, it'll be very, very tough match, who knows, Verdasco is in great form, I like his tennis, playing very aggressively, having hope, our boy could manage high standards, hardly waiting for the match...
gordana , 4/17/09 10:15 AM
It seems that the new racquet is helping Nole on clay. He is definitely rising his level.
Merlin , 4/17/09 2:57 PM
Djoko rised in the third set. Verdasco didn't manage to find his marks on his forehand, and since he is not the first, there could be something in Djoko's play.
Merlin , 4/17/09 3:05 PM
Hurraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay, Novak won, that's my boy, SEMI FINAL is waiting, love you my dearest...
gordana , 4/17/09 3:14 PM
Oh dear, another clay "specialist" bites the dust!
noleisthebest , 4/17/09 3:21 PM
I have also noticed that Djoko is playing a more defensive tennis on clay, three four feet from the line. My theory is that the new racquet gives him more power and more spin. On the other side, he didn't attack enough in this match.
Merlin , 4/17/09 3:32 PM
have to give credit to RD, he was very tactfull in his pick, but Nole is the class, congrats Nole, huuuuge win.
posmatrac , 4/17/09 3:37 PM
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i pick djokovic........he can be little bit more consistent......but if nando's forehand's and serve's fall in place...he can beat djoker too......his first serve perc against murray at the oz open was mind bogling....nd we all know his forehand....djokovic will have to play real well to win....may take three sets
vrael , 4/17/09 6:53 AM