2012 US Open SF Previews

Hey y'all. Welcome to the Men's Semis of the 2012 US Open! OK, 2 of the four left I intensely dislike, the third I don't like, and the fourth I love love love. I personally am of the opinion that Murray will retire slam-less. A crap forehand, bad attitude and inconsistent. Plus, he never really shows up in the finals anyways. And, also, living in Britain means that he is everywhere, so not liking him is difficult because everyone seems to be ignoring the fact he's an arrogant rude, bad tempered, awful person. Plus, he swears and throws temper tantrums on court. And, let's be honest, compared to the big three, he really isn't at their level. I mean he sits there and defends and then when the opponent makes a mistake he capitalises and then fist pumps. No, Andy, those are negative tactics. I don't like Djokovic for reasons mentioned in the last post, and Berdych, well, I just don't get a good vibe from him and he has an annoying habit of troubling Federer, which isn't cool. Also, mentioned in a previous article, is why I really like Ferrer, so I think it's time to go on with this article.

BERDYCH vs. MURRAY
Berdych leads 4-2. He won in Monte Carlo this year and Paris last year, but both were in three sets. Murray won their match in Dubai earlier this year in two, however. Berdych has some good head to head records against some top players. I think this will actually give Berdych some confidence, knowing he's got a winning record against the Olympic champ. Full details here.

=Berdych (6) d. Federer (1)=
...I was so angry when I heard this. Angry at Federer and angry at the fact that Berdych won. This title was Federer's to lose and he went and lost. Damn you Berdych. Fed was undefeated under the lights until that match. Talking about it still hurts, this is like when Mufasa died in the "The Lion King" all over again. Berdych won 7-6(1) (54) 6-4 (38) 3-6 (34) 6-3 (36) in a quick four setter. Doubling Roger's aces and having the same number of doubles with three, plus a FSP of 59, those are good serving stats. Although Fed's FSP was 4 percent higher. Federer hit more winners, too, with 44 to 30, but he did hit 40 errors to the Berd's 21. Federer played OK but Berdych played exceptionally well. His big flat shots left Federer flat footed. But still, Federer leads their head to head by about 6 or 7 and has won 17 slams and is still the better player. This match was a bit of a fluke, to be honest. Normally Fed is much better than the Czech. Aaah well.

=Murray (3) d. Cilic (12)=
...Murray got the easiest draw and -like only he can- completely butchered it. He played crap for two sets. But he still came through because Cilic couldn't put him away and choked. Pathetic. Up 6-3 and a break, all Cilic had to do was hold on and he was into a two sets to none lead. Could he do it though? No. Of course he couldn't, and once again Murray was off the hook. Eventually his bad play will catch up with him. His match against Raonic was the only one where hes played well so far. But anyway, Murray won 3-6 (37) 7-6 (74) 6-2 (40) 6-0 (29). They both had a FSP of around 55 but Murray had only 4 doubles to Cilic's 6 and 11 aces to two, as well. Cilic hit an incredible 50 unforced errors and just 32 winners while Murray had 39 winners to 31 errors. Basically, it was a very scrappy match where they both played badly and yet again the Croat has missed a golden opportunity.

=What Berdych has to do to win=
...Hit big serves and attack Murray's forehand, because Murray's forehand isn't world class. Berdych will beat him in the Forehand to Forehand exchanges. Also, Berd needs to be hitting 70 percent of first serves in. He will need to be consistently offensive and go for his shots. He should also try to mix it up a little. Serve volley, maybe? Forehand Slice? I also think he needs to not get into longer rallies, too.

=What Murray has to do to win=
...Get into longer exchanges and try to wear the Czech down. He overuses the dropshot -- he can't do that here. He should play it occasionally. He should also try to expose Berdych's movements. Also, try to have a high percentage of points own on second serve, and when I say high, I mean above 55 percent. He should also use angles and he shouldn't let Berd get into a rhythm.

=Who'll win?=
...Who cares? No? Fine. Everytime I make these predictions and try to use logic, it blows up in my face. So, this time, I'm gonna say that with a lot of confidence from the Federer win and the fact that Andy's been patchy through the tournament, Berdych will stun the world number four in four.

6-2 7-6 (4) 3-6 6-4

FERRER vs. DJOKOVIC
The evil king of the Klingons has an 8-5 head to head lead against the loveable Spaniard in a rivalry dating back to 2004 in Bucharest, Ferrer winning the clay court contest. Ferrer beat him at the WTF -they need to change the acronym- 3 and 1 although Djokovic was 'injured'. Djokovic has won their two contests this year, one of which was in the Quarters in Australia. Full details .

=Ferrer (4) d. Tipsarevic (8)=
...Without doubt the best tennis match at the Open this year. And I don't think there’ll be another even close to it in either Semi or the final. Ferrer won in over four hours 6-3 (36) 6-7(5) (65)2-6 (43) 6-3 (45) 7-6(4) (82). I was on the edge of my seat the entire match. It was incredible. Sluggish start for Ferrer at 0-2, but then he recovered to 4-2, and he soon had it 6 games to three. At the end of the set, the commentator said 'maybe he's using Sampras's racket, he was peppering those lines. However, in the next set, it was even-stevens and it went to a Tiebreaker, and you know if Ferrer won it then that was it. But with a stunning backhand pass Tipsarevic got the double mini-break on the Spaniard's serve to go up 2-1. And then with some huge shots off both wings, Tipsarevic took the tiebreak and leveled it at a set all with a set which could have gone either way. In fact, serving to stay in the set both time, Ferrer held to love.

In the next set, Tipsarevic played an amazing extraordinary game at 2-2 to break Ferru. And from there, he marched to a 6-2 third set. But Ferrer wasn't done, oh no. He fought back superbly and took it six games to three. Then in a set lasting over 80 minutes and filled with extraordinary tennis, Ferrer recovered from a break down to take it. Ferrer and Tipsy were both around the 60 mark in FSP but Ferrer had 6 doubles to Tipsy's none. To make up for it though, he hit 15 aces to the Serbs ten.

Winners: Tipsarevic 60-49 Ferrer
Unforced Errors: Tipsarevic 58-44 Ferrer
Total Points Won: Tipsarevic 159-173 Ferrer

Make of the above what you will. I say Ferrer's consistency won him the day in the end. And after beating the Serbian number two, he gets to play the Serbian number one. And we all know who we want to win that one.

=Djokovic (2) d. Del Potro (7)=
...Del Potro/Djokovic was always going to be great and it was. But the second set proved to be what decided it. Both men deserved it, but once Djokovic got it, the match was his. He won 6-2 (39) 7-6(3) (84) 6-4 (63) in over three hours. The second set was up there for not just set of the tournament but set of the year, too. Great rallies and amazing shot-making from both, but eventually Djokovic came through. Del Potro had a FSP of 66, which is 9 more than the Serb, and had 8 aces to Djokovic's 7, but 3 double faults where Djoko had just two. It was a high quality affair and it shows that Del Potro is back. He has made the Quarters at three slams this year and only missed out at Wimbledon. A great match, but the Serb was too good in the end.

=What Ferrer has to do to win=
...He only really has one game and he has to go out there and just play it. He has to serve well and play consistent aggressive tennis and he must go for his shots. This match isn't on his terms. He needs to attack the second delivery and the forehand, too. Djokovic, Murray, Ferrer and Fed are the four who have been at every Slam quarterfinal this year. And, my oh my, Ferrer's had a career year. With 5 titles, second only to Federer, 2 slam QFs and two slam SFs, for me he's going from strength to strength. He will play his heart out against Djokovic, too.

=What Djokovic has to do to win=
...Overpower Ferrer and attack his serve. Also, he will need to serve well and try to end the points quickly, because if he doesn't then he'll be worn out for the final if he wins. Maybe bring Ferrer into the net, too. Basically, he needs to pull out all the stops and he'll win. This match is on his terms, after all.

=Who'll win?=
...I want Ferru to win so much. But I just realistically think Djokovic has too much. I'm generous in saying Djokovic in four but that's my prediction; the arch lord of villainy and evil to go through in four epic sets.

Djokovic 6-4 6-4 3-6 7-6

There it is folks. Don't forget to go to WTABACKSPIN. See you for the final. Right, Lunchtime...

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