Andy Murray’s 14 match winning streak came to an end by defending champion David Nalbandian. The Argentine played some sublime Tennis to knock out the world no.4 in straight sets 7-6, 6-3.
Murray went into the match in incredible form and was arguably the most feared man on the circuit winning Cincinnati, Madrid and St Petersburg in succession.
This match though demonstrated that perhaps the amount of Tennis and travelling he has had to endure was all getting a bit too much for the Scot, who looked jaded at times. His first serve let him down throughout and he struggled to dominate at the back against a man who he had not played since losing to him at Wimbledon in 2005.
The rejuvenated Nalbandian always plays his best on the indoor courts and he defiantly was the aggressor in this quarter final dual. The first set was tightly contested with both players breaking serve, but the World No.11 battled through in the tie break taking it 7-3. After losing the first set Murray could not keep his game together as he became increasingly frustrated. Nalbandian then broke early in the second set as he began to play some exquisite Tennis, the type of Tennis that saw him reach world No.3 in 2006. Murray also showed glimpses of the player that won the previous two master series title, with an incredible sliced forehand cross court shot to break back immediately at 2-2. However Murray could not maintain his A game for long periods and the Argentine exploited this going on to win the match 6-3 in the second set.
Pulled Out
David Nalbandian will now take on Russian Nikolay Davydenko after he knocked out Rafael Nadal who retired hurt. The world No.1 received extensive treatment on court with a knee injury and after battling through the first set losing 6-1, he felt it best to retire and rest for the upcoming Masters Cup in a fortnight.
Another surprise came in the other half of the draw as Roger Federer pulled out of his match against James Blake, with a back injury. This will please the American who is a step closer to clinch a place in Shanghai. James Blake will play Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, knowing that a win will secure him a place in the Masters Cup. Tsonga also has the chance of qualify after defeating Andy Roddick from a set down in an enthralling match, winning 7-5, 6-4, 7-6 (7-5)'
Quarter Final Results:
[6] N Davydenko (RUS) d [1] R Nadal (ESP) 6-1 ret. (knee)[11] J Blake (USA) d [2] R Federer (SUI) W/O (back)[8] D Nalbandian (ARG) d [4] A Murray (GBR) 7-6(3), 6-3[13] J Tsonga (FRA) d [7] A Roddick (USA) 5-7, 6-4, 7-6(5)
Semi Final Draw
(6) Nikolay Davydenko v (8) David Nalbandian
(13) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga v (11) James Blake
THE RACE FOR SHANGHAI
1. *Nadal (1335pts)
2. *Federer (1041pts)
3. *Djokovic (929pts)
4. *Murray (684pts)
5. *Daveydenko (463pts)
6. *Roddick (394pts)
7. Del Potro (369pts) – Will qualify if Davedenko or Nalbandian becomes champion.
8. Simon (356pts) – Cannot qualify as either Blake or Tsonga will reach the final.
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9. Blake (355pts) – Will qualify if he defeats Tsonga
10. Ferrer (339pts) – Cannot Qualify
11. Tsonga (335pts) – Will qualify if he defeats Blake
12. Nalbandian (320pts) – Will only qualify if he becomes champion
*= Qualified for Shanghai
Bold = Still competing in the Paris Masters Series event.
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