Final Four In Madrid

After an eventful day in Madrid, which saw two former champions knocked out in outstanding clashes - Sports Magician looks ahead to the battle of the remaining four.

Roger Federer (1) v David Nalbandian (4)
The kind of semi-final that many (including myself) hoped to see in Madrid. Federer and Nalbandian have always brought out the best in each other and have played many a classic match. This one should be no different.

David Nalbandian, winner of the Masters Cup in 2005, was the first player through to the semi-finals after another houdini like escape. Nothing has come easy for the Argentine this week, and his encounter with Safin went along a similar path. Nalbandian started well, taking the first set 6-4. The second set proved to be far more complicated, after both players had exchanged breaks (four in total) it was decided by a tie-break. Nalbandian had match point at 6-5 but Safin saved himself with an ace and eventually took the set. Despite the disappointment, Nalbandian was able to hold himself together for the third set until his resistance was broken in the eleventh game. Yet again, Nalbandian found himself staring defeat in the face as he had done against Benneteau and Henman, and yet again he managed to avoid the exit. Nalbandian broke and then dominated the tie-break and thus recorded only his second win in eight meetings with Safin. As well as matching his Madrid performance from last year, Nalbandian gained a psychological boost ahead of what will be another meeting between the two in Moscow in December for this year's Davis Cup Final.

Federer's passage to the last four was not filled with such drama. Despite being given a competitive encounter by Robby Ginepri, the Swiss world no.1 never looked in danger of losing the match. Unlike Nalbandian who has gone the distance in all his matches this week, Federer has yet to drop a set.

This will be the thirteenth meeting between the pair, their head to head stands at six wins each. Nalbandian won the first five of their professional meetings, Federer has won six of the last seven. They have met twice this season, Federer the victor on both occasions. In Rome, the match (as it was in Shanghai 2005) was settled by a deciding set tie-break. Their last meeting came at Roland Garros this year in the semi-finals. Unfortunately, this meeting was cut short by an injury to Nalbandian and the viewing public was robbed of another classic encounter. Of their previous twelve meetings, the outcome has been settled in straight sets only four times. The winner of this semi-final is likely to end up lifting the trophy on Sunday.

Fernando Gonzalez (10) v Tomas Berdych (11)
Tomas Berdych gave the tennis world another glimpse of the potential he has with an awesome display of power and accuracy, against home favourite and defending champion, Rafael Nadal. What was arguably more impressive though was the composure and concentration shown in the face of a partisan crowd. Berdych has shown he is capable of giving Nadal more than he can handle, that was no surprise but the question remained as to whether he would be able to do that in Spain where the crowd would be an added factor. He passed the test with flying colours, having only one blip in the match at 5-4 up in the tie-break. Nadal got himself in position to win the second set and take it to a decider, but Berdych came roaring back to complete a 6-3 7-6 victory. At the conclusion of the match, Berdych celebrated by letting the Spanish crowd have no doubts that he had silenced them and left the stadium to a chorus of boos.

Fernando Gonzalez, fresh off a day of rest yesterday after his opponent withdrew, negotiated his passage to the last four with a victory over 19 year old Serbian talent, Novak Djokovic. In a closely fought battle, the Chilean triumphed in three sets 7-5 5-7 7-5. The Chilean was two points from defeat at 5-4 down in the decider, but showed great resolve to turn the match around.

Gonzalez holds a 2-0 record against Berdych and has yet to lose a set against him. Berdych will not be popular with the crowd after the way his match ended versus Nadal, allowing Gonzalez to receive the support of any neutrals in attendance. Young players often blow hot and cold, and Berdych is not immune to that. Despite his outstanding quarter-final performance there is no guarantee he will be able to maintain that standard tomorrow after such a euphoric win. Evidence of this was seen in Toronto this year, having beaten Nadal, Berdych was thrashed the next day by Richard Gasquet. Adding in the head to head record, Gonzalez will feel confident he can make his first ever Masters Series final. Berdych has a Masters Series title to his name already, having won Paris at the back end of 2005.