Tennis Panorama Archives

Archives of TennisPanorama.com 2008-2013

TennisPanorama.com 2008-2013
  • Home
  • Tennis Panorama
You are here: Home / Features / “Big Four” Fill Semifinal Berths as Djokovic Survives Leg Injury and Ferrer at Australian Open

“Big Four” Fill Semifinal Berths as Djokovic Survives Leg Injury and Ferrer at Australian Open

January 25, 2012 By Tennis Panorama News

 

MELBOURNE PARK, Australia – Defending champion and World No 1 Novak Djokovic struggled with what appeared to be a left hamstring injury to beat fifth-ranked David Ferrer 6-4, 7-6 (4), 6-1 on Wednesday night to complete the Australian Open semifinal picture. This is 4th time that Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Andy Murray comprise the final four at a major. They did so at the 2008 US Open, the 2011 French Open, the 2011 US Open and now the 2012 Australian Open.

Leading in the second set at 2-1, Djokovic stretched chasing a ball with break point against him. The Serbian grabbed his left leg and winced in pain. Play continued and Djokovic and Ferrer went to a second set tiebreak. The Spaniard battled to a 4-2 lead, they Djokovic rattled off five straight point to take the tiebreak and the set.

“Well, luckily for me it wasn’t something that stayed there for long time,” Djokovic said of his injury.  “It was just a, you know, sudden pain.”

“But, look, you could expect before coming to this match that it’s going to be very physical.  David makes you run, makes you play an extra shot, makes you earn your points.

“You know, I think I was hitting the ball really well from the baseline.  He had his times in the match where he was playing really well.  I think, you know, my serve could have been a little bit better.  But overall it was a great performance.”

“I did a good game,” said Ferrer.  “I had my chance in the second set, in the tiebreak maybe with 5‑4.  But when I lost the second set, and the third set he plays better than me, I was a little bit tired.

“But I am happy with my game.”

Although walking with a slight limp, Djokovic surged to a 3-0 lead in the third set and never looked back.

Djokovic spoke about the “big four” making it to the semis again at a major.

“It became more common nowadays, as you mentioned, whatever, last four or five Grand Slams is us playing in semifinals.  People don’t realize how difficult that is.  It’s not easy to get to the semifinals, even though we’re expected to.  There’s a lot of competitive players out there, a lot of players who are very motivated to win against all of us.

“So I guess that makes us a success even bigger.  We have this probably mental strength and advantage.  You know, we have that self‑belief on the court, playing in the finals of the majors for several times, winning some majors, especially Roger and Rafa.

It’s just a different approach, a different feel about being on the center stage when you’re playing somebody that hasn’t had that experience.  So that counts, let’s say, as your advantage.”

Ferrer ranked No. 5 in the world was asked about if the gap can be closed on the top four, “No, I don’t think so,” said the Spaniard.  “Because the last year, the top four players plays all the finals in the Grand Slams.  They were there in the final rounds.  And this year they are doing again, so…I think the top four, it’s another level.”

Djokovic will play Andy Murray in a semifinal on Friday night. “Well, it’s a new year, you know, new challenges for all of us.  He’s got Ivan Lendl now on his side.  He’s made some changes,” Djokovic said.

“But, you know, he looks fit.  He’s been playing well.  He’s definitely, you know, I think very motivated to win his first Grand Slam.  He’s been playing last two years finals here.  He’s been proving to himself and to the rest of the people that the Australian Open is probably his best Grand Slam.

“But on the other hand I have been playing quite well here in last couple years.  You know, we have to expect a great match.  You know, a tournament cannot ask for better matchups in semifinals.  I hope that I can step out on the court trying to repeat the same thing I did last year.

“But it’s definitely going to take a lot of effort to be a winner from that match.”

 

Karen Pestaina for Tennis Panorama News

Filed Under: Features, Front Page News, news conference, tennis news, tournament coverage, tournaments Tagged With: Andy Murray, Australian Open, David Ferrer, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer

Archives

  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • December 2010
  • November 2010
  • October 2010
  • September 2010
  • August 2010
  • July 2010
  • June 2010
  • May 2010
  • April 2010
  • March 2010
  • February 2010
  • January 2010
  • December 2009
  • November 2009
  • October 2009
  • June 2009
  • May 2009
  • March 2009
  • December 2008

Copyright © 2022 · Metro Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in