Paris – QF

Novak Djokovic received a walkover in Paris at Roland Garros this year from Fabio Fognini, this time in Paris it was his turn. The Serb who questioned his participation in the tournament, after winning two matches concluded that his right shoulder bothers him too much to risk a match with a difficult opponent Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (H2H: 5-4 Tsonga). The Frenchman advanced for the fourth time to a ‘Masters 1000’ semifinal (twice in French speaking cities, Montreal and Paris). “I am very sorry for the tournament and the fans in Paris but my right shoulder is hurting again after winning my first two matches here. The doctors have advised that I should rest my shoulder and start treatment as soon as possible. I look forward to returning to the court in London and competing at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals.” said No. 1.
In the first quarterfinal which was played, Tomas Berdych snapped a career-best 17-match winning streak of Andy Murray in the longest match of the tournament by far #, and arguably the best of the season (best of three). The 1st set was highlighted by a 14-minute 9th game when Berdych saved seven set points (4 winners, 3 Murray’s errors). In the 2nd set Murray made two comebacks, the first one from *0:3 (15-40), the second one from 2:5* in the tie-break. At 5 all the Scot was two points away from the victory but missed an easy forehand and Berdych converted the first set point with a forehand volley. Berdych held first two games of the decider with troubles (0-30 & 15-40 respectively) and broke his opponent in the 9th game with a help of Murray’s double fault. In a very tense 10-minute final game, Murray had three break points but Berdych withstood the pressure and clinched the struggle with two service winners. He improved his H2H with Murray to 3-1. Both guys played in red t-shirts and white shorts… Points won at the net: Berdych (31/46), Murray (6/9).
Berdych now faces Roger Federer, who posted his win no. 800 ## (10th in a row) beating Juan Monaco 6-3, 7-5. In the 2nd set at 5:4* Monaco was four times two points away from the set, but every time Federer responded with a convincingly offensive attitude. Thanks to surprisingly good results at the end of the season, the Argentinian might me designated to play in the Davis Cup final against Spain in the first week of December. In the last quarter-final, John Isner stunned David Ferrer 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 converting break points in both games he had chances to do that. It’s Isner’s first win over the Spaniard in four meetings. “I feel great,” declared Isner. “It was my first Masters quarter-final, as well. I’m just thrilled to have won tonight, given that Ferrer is such a tough player. He’s No. 5 in the world for a reason. I played very well, and I’m very, very happy.” The American finished the contest with two aces and two service winners (all of them at least 220 km/h!).

# Murray’s 3-hour matches (the best of three):

2006 – Monte Carlo, 1R: Lisnard 6-4, 6-7(5), 5-7… 3:07
2007 – Masters, rr: Federer 4-6, 7-6(3), 7-5… 3:01
2009 – Masters, rr: F.Verdasco 6-4, 6-7(4), 7-6(3)… 3:00
2010 – Masters, SF: R.Nadal 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-7(6)… 3:12
2011 – Rome, SF: N.Djokovic 1-6, 6-3, 6-7(2)… 3:02
2011 – Paris, QF: T.Berdych 6-4, 6-7(5) 4-6… 3:12

## Club “800” wins (according to ATP):

1242 – Jimmy Connors
1071 – Ivan Lendl
923 – Guillermo Vilas
875 – John McEnroe
870 – Andre Agassi
806 – Stefan Edberg
800 – Roger Federer