Federer to meet Djokovic in Rome masters semifinal

Rome, Italy
May 01, 2009 

Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic won their quarterfinal matches at the Rome Masters to set up a semifinal showdown. While World No. 1 Rafael Nadal defeated Fernando Verdasco 6-3, 6-3 to play Fernando Gonzalez in the semifinals who beat Juan Monaco 2-6, 6-3, 6-4. Federer beat Mischa Zverev 7-6(3), 6-2 and Djokovic defeated Juan Martin del Potro 6-3, 6-4. Federer beat Djokovic 7 times in the last 10 encounters with Djokovic, but the serbian beat Federer in the last meeting at Florida.

Novak Djokovic quotes
"I feel quite confident playing here. Each match I play, I feel more comfortable moving on the court and just playing my style of the game."
"I tried to change the pace a lot," "Because I know that Del Potro likes more or less same pace, and he’s moving really well for his height."
on Federer
"I think both of us like it, so it’s going to be interesting,"

Roger Federer quotes
"I had to come up with some passing shots, and I think it’s always kind of good that you’re on the back foot and you have to come up with some good shots at the right time,"
on playing Djokovic in the semifinals
"I hope I can play better than in Miami,"

Friday, May 1, 2009
Singles - Quarter-finals
[1] R Nadal (ESP) d [6] F Verdasco (ESP) 63 63
[2] R Federer (SUI) d [Q] M Zverev (GER) 76(3) 62
[3] N Djokovic (SRB) [5] d J Del Potro (ARG) 63 64
[12] F Gonzalez (CHI) d [Q] J Monaco (ARG) 26 63 64

Doubles - Quarter-finals
[1] B Bryan (USA) / M Bryan (USA) d [7] M Mirnyi (BLR) / A Ram (ISR) 46 64 11-9
[2] D Nestor (CAN) / N Zimonjic (SRB) d [8] J Coetzee (RSA) / J Kerr (AUS) 64 64
[4] M Bhupathi (IND) / M Knowles (BAH) d [6] M Fyrstenberg (POL) / M Matkowski (POL) 63 64
[5] B Soares (BRA) / K Ullyett (ZIM) d [3] L Dlouhy (CZE) / L Paes (IND) 75 63

« back