Montreal – SF

Mardy Fish [8], a huge favorite of the first semifinal, delivered a routine 6-3, 6-4 win over Janko Tipsarevic [24] to get the third final in the last four weeks. The American No. 1 implemented a different tactics than in the previous three matches – he was going to the net after each 1st serve and frequently during the rallies after hard strokes, especially from the backhand side. ‘Tipsy’ couldn’t find the rhythm excluding a short period of the 2nd set when he won 12 points in a row since *0:2 (0-30).
Monfils was able to go with Novak Djokovic [1] a limb for a limb first four games, Monfils’s fellow Frenchman – Jo-Wilfried Tsonga [16], only four games more. There was a hope for a great show until the 10th game in the 1st set, when Tsonga leading 30-15 lost four points in a row. Djokovic won five straight games in total from 4:4 and Tsonga with some pain in the right forearm decided to retire; unfortunately that’s what you get in matches with the best players – the opponents know that they have some chances playing 100% fit, if they’re not fit enough, they are prone to give a walkover or retirement (Nole has already received six this year). It’s 11th consecutive win for him and 26th in ‘Masters 1000’ events – he really should overcome Federer’s record from years 2005-2006 #. D’Joke will be an overwhelming favorite against Fish tomorrow, in Cincinnati should reach semifinals without serious troubles (Harrison or Chela first, then probably Wawrinka or Isner and very likely Monfils again in the quarter-finals).

# The longest winning streaks in ‘Masters 1000′ tournaments:

29 – Roger Federer (2005-06)
26 – Novak Djokovic (2011)
19 – Pete Sampras (1994)
18 – Rafael Nadal, twice (2005 & 2010)
17 – Thomas Muster (1995)