Well I saw the first semi final & have just watched the highlights again.
Firstly, congratulations to Djokovic fans & tennis fans alike. It was great to see Djokovic playing such beautiful tennis here. I have always liked his natural game - when he plays like this, it is with such finesse & grace. And Ferrer gave him the opportunity to play free. This was a glimpse of Djokovic at his best, in my view. In the moment, clinical, and entirely at one with his game. Give me 5 hours of this game & I'll be happy!
I bet Ferrer is hurting. And not from the effort in the Almagro match either. It can't be easy knowing that you will never be able to play great tennis, and to be obliterated by a man across the court to whom it came so easily today. Still, in knowing that he couldn't have got further than he did, congratulations to DF for getting to the semifinal.
My next thoughts turn to the one who will face Djokovic. If I were Murray or Federer, and watching the Djokovic semi final, I'd have one word on my lips. "Gulp!"
Murray simply hasn't been tested here all tournament. And to me, he hasn't played his best tennis either. He may well not require it, in which case, good. Is he playing well enough to beat Djokovic playing as he did against Ferrer. Not in my view.
Federer struggled with the first opponent to give him a fight, namely Tsonga. His game against Tsonga was littered with errors & missed opportunities. He was clearly not at his best, and may well play better against Murray - he'll need to do so. And then, beyond that, can he match up to Djokovic playing his best tennis? Not in my view.
For me the reality is that Djokovic looks unassailable. The others will have to play their top game at a consistently high level in order to threaten him. I just can't see it happening. But I won't sob in my pillow if I'm proved wrong!! Let the better player on the day win!
But despite this, I am looking forward to the second semi final & wish both men an excellent match. The title is the goal, but the journey ought to be as undertaken with the fullest determination. I hope they can give each other, and us, their best game.
