By Rizwan Rehmat
DOHA: World number one Novak Djokovic of Serbia and arch-rival Rafael Nadal yesterday remained on collision course in Doha after they reached the semi-finals of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open.
Top seed Djokovic of Serbia sealed his semi-finals berth with a straight-set win over eighth seed Leonardo Mayer of Argentina. Djokovic won 6-3, 7-5 in 93 minutes.
Earlier former champion Nadal stuttered for a while before composing himself to beat young Russian Andrey Kuznetsov 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 in 2 hours 7 minutes on the Centre Court at Khalifa Tennis Complex.
Champion in Doha two years ago, Nadal clearly enjoyed the crowd’s support as he went about battling the strong baseline game of Kuznetsov who won the second set after breaking the former world number one three times.
In the semi-finals today Nadal will meet giant-killer Illya Marchenko of Ukraine.
After conqueror of defending champion David Ferrer on Tuesday, Marchenko yesterday shocked seventh seed Jeremy Chardy of France 6-3, 7-6 to reach his first major semi-finals in his star-stop career since 2010.
Djokovic sounded pleased with his performance.
“It was a tough match for me - the toughest for me this tournament. I was expecting some long exchanges from him. He is a very solid player from back of the court. He plays good shots and he has a very good serve,” Djokovic said.
The Serb added: “I was on the verge of losing the second set but I am just very pleased to get through. He could have won the second set and the match was open. You just have to believe in yourself and I have been in such situations before so experienced helped me tonight.”
Crowd favourite Nadal was clearly delighted after prevailing over Kuznetsov who is yet to beat the Spaniard in two meetings on the ATP Tour.
“I am happy to have fought so well, especially in the tough situations. The way I finished pleased me,” Nadal said after the game. “he’s a tough opponent. He enjoyed a good start in the second set,” Nadal said.
“I was a bit cautious in the second set but I won the tough situations. That was the key,” the world number five said.
“He’s a very good player. He played really well today,” the second seed added.
When asked about Marchenko, Nadal said: “I have seen him play here. He’s a tough player. He is playing a high level of tennis. I would call him a very tough opponent.”
In what was the second quarter-final of the day, Nadal picked up early momentum as he set about dismantling 25-year-old Kuznetsov. Nadal broke the Russian in game 2 and then moments later held his serve in game three to jump to 3-0 lead.
Kuznetsov held his serve on three occasions but Nadal upped the ante by bringing out his full wingspan into play on forehand shots from the baseline to close the first set at 6-3 in just 36 minutes.
In the second set, a feisty battle ensued from the baseline as the two players trade service breaks regularly. Kuznetsov, matching shot for shot, broke Nadal in games three, eight and 12 to draw level in the match.
A powerful backhand from the baseline gave Kuznetsov the second set that lasted 53 minutes. Kuznetsov fired four aces against none from the former world number one who also broke the Russian in games five and seven.
In the deciding set, the two continued with their dogfight until game nine when a fired up Nadal broke Kuznetsov from the baseline. Nadal held serve in game 10 to seal his place in the semi-finals in what was his 22nd win on Doha courts.
Earlier, Marchenko crushed 7th seed Chardy to reach the semi-finals despite back issues.
Playing feisty tennis for most part of the quarter-final, Marchenko used his tall frame to win 6-3, 7-6 in 94 minutes.
Marchenko twice called for medical time-out but still managed to finish the match in straight sets.
“I had the energy to play the third set, I was mentally ready for it,” Marchenko said later. “I worked so well tonight. I feel happy to be in the semi-finals.
“I don’t know what the problem is. I am not a physio. I will see what the issue is and I will try to be ready for the semi-finals,” the tall Ukrainian added.
“ I was controlling the game. I was up 5-0. Nothing you can really add to that,” Marchenko said. “And then I lost a bit of focus. Got a bit nervous at the end but still hold my serve at 5-3.
The Peninsula
