2007 ATP-WTA Tour Pacific Life Open – At The Indian Wells Tennis Garden – Day 7

MURRAY ESCAPES HAAS

Andy Murray (GBR) will meet Novak Djokovic (SRB) in Saturdays semifinal match. Murray defeated Haas 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(8). A dramatic three set nail-biter filled with medical time outs and amazing shots will send Andy Murray to the semifinals on Saturday. When Murray fell early in the match, Haas rushed over to assist. Once Murray realized he was able to continue, he fought hard to stay even with Haas. In the end, Murray prevailed.

KUZNETSOVA STOPS BAMMER

Indian Wells, Friday – The 2004 U.S. Open Champ and 2006 French Open runner up Svetlana Kuznetsova needed 3 sets to oust No. 33 seed Sybille Bammer 6-7(5), 4-6, 6-1 in a long 2 hour and 39 minute match.

Bammer looked strong in the first set much in the same form as her previous win against 13th seeded Tatiana Golovin (6-2,6-3). The hard hitting Kuznetsova was playing in her third semifinal in three tournaments and was not ready to concede although losing the first set 6-7. “It was tough, but i said, hey, you lost your chance, you had opportunities but still your in the game and its one more set to go,” said Bammer.

In the first set tiebreaker, Bammer went up 5-1 but nerves got the best of her and double faulted twice letting Kuznetsova climb back to 5-6. The Left handed Bammer pulled her game back together and ended up winning the tiebreaker with Kutznetsova hitting a backhand into the net. Bammer stated that even though she won the tough first set, she wasn’t playing her best ” I was a little bit nervous and a little bit tight, so I was not really playing my game”

In the second and third sets, Kuznetsova pulled out her best and showed why she is the No.2 seed for the Pacific Life Open. Using her big serve, the Russian star broke Bammer a total of six out of 11 service games to take the last two sets 6-4,6-2. In addition, Kuznetsova hit 39 winners to Bammers 24 yet had 48 errors to Bammer’s 41. “Svetlana played great tennis in the third set. She played really good” the Austrian from Linz stated.

Kuznetsova and Bammer met once before, on clay with the Russian winning 6-2,6-4.

Kuznetsova will meet Daniela Hantuchova in the Women’s singles final tomorrow. The Russian leads 5-2 in head to head meetings. “She [Hantuchova] trains in the same club as I do and yeah, I’m looking forward to playing her”.

TEEN SENSATION DJOKOVIC WINS QUARTERS AGAINST FERRER

Novak Djokovic, No.12 seed and the youngest player in the ATP top 20, edged out Spaniard David Ferrer this afternoon here at Indian Wells 6-3, 6-2.

This matchup was the first time both players have met each other. Starting the first set in the blazing sun, Djokovic placed big serves well ( 64% while winning 76% of first serve points) breaking the No. 14 seed to go up 3-0. Only broken once in the match, Djokovic closed out the first set 6-3. ” I felt really good physically and I think throughout all the tournament, I’m playing some good tennis.” stated the 19 year old Serb.

The second set was much of the same with Ferrer being broken on serve twice while Djokovic was only broken once early. Committing only 13 errors to Ferrer’s 21, The Serb teen closed out the match in 1 hour and 16 minutes while not being too distracted by the heat. ” It was really hot, a hot day today but it didn’t really affect me as much as it did two days ago when I played Benneteau”

Djokovic will play the semifinal this Saturday against the winner of the Andy Murray – Tommy Haas Quarterfinal later today (Last year he lost in the first round to Julien Benneteau) this will be his first ATP Masters semifinal. The 19 year old teen sensation has won 16 of 20 matches this season on the hard court surface with his only losses coming to Federer and Youzhny (twice each).