The tennis review previews the Beijing China Open ATP 500 quarter-finals, an exciting line up which features 4 slam winners, one of the game’s best servers, one of its cleanest hitters, the next-big-thing and a qualifier who likes scaring Nadal at slams.
Cilic Vs Murray.
Murray was Cilic’s nemesis for a long time – Cilic led him by a set and a break at both the Australian Open (semi-finals ’10) and the U.S Open (quarter-finals 2012) before squandering his chances. But Cilic is a different player now, and this year saw him beat Murray for the first time in Rotterdam and reduce the head to head deficit to 1-9. Cilic, after all, has the game to beat Murray, it is now about the belief, and he has proven he has that now he has won the U.S Open. Murray, though, will also be feeling bright after his win in Shenzen, his first tournament final and win since Wimbledon ’13, and he knows that if he can play aggressively (if he is at all passive, Cilic should blow him off the court), and stay with Cilic, he will have his chances on the return if Cilic’s first service does not find its mark. However, expect Cilic to come out firing confidently and to take the match in straight sets.
Novak Djokovic Vs Grigor Dimitrov.
Dimitrov burst into the spotlight when he beat Novak Djokovic on clay in Madrid last year. Since then Dimitrov has gone from strength to strength and is now a member of the top ten and a mutli-titlist. Djokovic, meanwhile, has added another slam to his collection. This match, however, finds both men at their weakest in a while. After a great grass court season for both men, they both flopped on American hard courts as Djokovic lost early at the ATP 1000 events and was beaten in the semi-finals of the U.S Open. At that event, Dimitrov crashed out tamely in the last sixteen to Gael Monfils. With neither men coming into the match high on confidence, Djokovic should win as he is more skilled at winning when not at his best, and he should get past Dimitrov in two.
Martin Klizan Vs Rafael Nadal.
Klizan is a dangerous player for Nadal to face at this stage of his comeback. Each time they have played, at the French Open ’13, and Wimbledon ’14, Klizan has taken the first set by being aggressive and doing damage with his forehand. Nadal might have preferred to play someone like Berdych or Murray against whom he has plenty of victories and knows their games inside out. Klizan has come through the qualifying event and knocked out Ernests Gulbis and so he will be confident he can take out an untested Nadal at his comeback event. Only this Spring, Klizan came through qualifying to win in Munich and so self-belief will not be a problem. Expect Klizan to win in two.
Isner Vs Berdych.
Berdych leads this head to head 5-2, and in four of his wins, Berdych has romped to victory. Meanwhile, in true Isner style, the American has had to battle for his two victories. Isner though likes it that way and has already had a final set breaker match in Beijing against Robredo and will be up for battle. With Berdych being a little out of sorts since Spring, Isner could get the upset here. Expect him to edge Berdych in a final set breaker.
Commentary by Christian Deverille
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