(Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Soderling d. Gonzalez 6-0 6-7 6-2
Bit disappointed with this one. For a match that threatened to bring the house down in no uncertain terms, it was all strangely subdued and anything but certain – from Gonzo at least.
You could argue Big Rob didn’t allow him to settle into any kind of rhythm - to which I say he shouldn’t have to.
Whatever else you might say about The Gonz, he’s not generally known as a shrinking violet. It’s unqualified folly to speculate on what might have been, but had he displayed even half the intent shown in set two throughout the match, we might at least have had one.
I never thought I’d hear myself saying this, but for one night only, Gonzo’s cannons weren’t loose enough.
Nadal d. Ferrer 7-6(5) 6-4
A hugely visceral and entertaining match made much more so by how scrappy both players allowed things to get.
Ferrer didn’t convert the chances he got in the first set, and Rafa didn’t appear anywhere near as penetrating or assured as he was in IW.
I don’t like it – it doesn’t bode well for Rafa to have this much trouble against someone he has an 8-2 H2H against.
(Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Tsonga d. Ferrero 6-2 6-2
Quite possibly the best performance from anyone this week. I know he was “only” playing Ferrero, but it’s not often you see him bring it together so confidently – heads tend to roll when he does.
There were points during this match where it appeared he could do no wrong. We’re all acutely aware however, of just how much wrong he’s capable of.
Still spells trouble for Rafa.
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