The 8th Masters Series event of the season is approaching the business end. Sports Magician previews Friday's Quarter-Final match-ups.
Roger Federer (1) v Robby Ginepri
World no.1 Roger Federer comes into Friday's quarter-final with hopes of ending the week with his 1st indoor Masters Series title. Federer had little trouble defeating Nicolas Massu in his 2nd round match, 6-3 6-2 (all seeds received a 1st round bye). His 3rd round match was a stiffer test, where required two tie-breaks to get past Sweden's Robin Soderling.
Robby Ginepri has had a poor season, and has been unable to build on his impressive summer hard court results in 2005. It could be said his best win of this year was beating Pete Sampras in an exhibition. However, Ginepri comes into this match in his best form for some time, winning 3 matches against Feliciano Lopez, Mario Ancic and Tommy Robredo. In the process, Ginepri has harmed Ancic and Robredo's hopes of making the season end Masters Cup.
Federer holds a 2-0 record over Ginepri and their last meeting in the Semi-Finals of Cincinnati in 2005 ended 4-6 7-5 6-4 in Federer's favour. Anything other than a Federer win tomorrow will be a huge upset.
David Nalbandian (4) v Marat Safin
The marquee match of the quarter-finals gives us a Davis Cup Final preview. Nalbandian, looking for points to help his cause to qualify for Shanghai, has been on the brink of defeat in both of his matches in Madrid. Finding himself 5-2 down against Julien Benneteau and 5-3 down against Henman in deciding sets, Nalbandian stared an early exit in the face but showed his abilty to come back from difficult situations yet again.
Marat Safin has been far more impressive this week. In an earlier Davis Cup Final preview, he saw off Jose Acasuso in 3 sets before disposing of Marcos Baghdatis and Kristof Vliegen. Safin holds a dominating 6-1 record over Nalbandian, including a 5th set tie-break win at the US Open this year as well as a victory in the Madrid Masters Final in 2004.
Nalbandian usually grows into tournaments and will need to improve significantly on his form in Madrid this week if he is to avoid a 7th defeat at the hands of the Russian. If there is only one quarter-final you watch tomorrow, make it this one.
Fernando Gonzalez (10) v Novak Djokovic (15)
Struggling with a shoulder injury, Fernando Gonzalez would have been relieved to hear he would not be facing the daunting prospect of returning Joachim Johansson's serve, as the Swede withdrew from his match due to illness. Gonzalez needs a great end to the season for a chance to make the Masters Cup (last year he played due to withdrawals during the tournament), and is hoping to start that run in Madrid. In his 2nd round match he defeated Paradorn Srichaphan, 6-4 in the 3rd.
Novak Djokovic is having an excellent season and is continuing his rise up the rankings. He defeated Andy Murray in his 3rd round match despite losing the 1st set, 6-1. Djokovic again exhibited his growing maturity and composure to keep himself in the match despite being a break behind in the 2nd set. He had earlier seen off another another talented player of this coming generation, Richard Gasquet.
The pair have met twice, with a win each. The extra day off may end up being the factor that tips this match in Gonzalez's favour.
Tomas Berdych (11) v Rafael Nadal (2)
Looking for form and confidence in Madrid this week, Tomas Berdych is not the player Nadal would have wanted to see in his half of the draw. Nadal has had a poor series of events since Wimbledon, and is looking to ignite his season in front of his adoring public, hoping to defend the title he won here last year. Nadal has looked much more like his usual self in his wins over Mardy Fish and Tommy Haas. However, the true test of his current form is likely to come in this quarter-final.
Tomas Berdych still maintains hopes of reaching the Masters Cup in Shanghai. He has been in good form seeing off Agustin Calleri and Andy Roddick in straight sets. Although Roddick was hampered by an injury, Berdych was in fantastic form on serve, slamming down 23 aces and not facing a single break point.
Berdych has a 2-1 record against Nadal, the most recent win coming in the Toronto Masters only a couple of months ago. All 3 of their encounters have gone to a deciding set, so don't be at all surprised if this match follows a similar path. Berdych will have to show a greater level of maturity and composure as he will be up against the crowd as well as Nadal.
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