Having survived a five set thriller last Sunday night, Novak Djokovic’s quest for a semi-final birth at the Australian Open doesn’t get any easier as he faces the in-form Tomas Berdych tonight. Join us for live scores and commentary from 7:30pm AEDT.
Djokovic had to really dig deep against Stanislas Wawrinka in the fourth round, coming back from a break down in the fifth set to register victory in just over five hours.
The world no.1 was pushed to his limits by Wawrinka, who showcased tremendous firepower from the forehand and backhand side throughout the contest.
Berdych will have no doubt taken plenty of positives from Wawrinka’s play, and will intend to apply the same sort of aggression that nearly led to Djokovic’s downfall in the fourth round.
The Serb showcased tremendous defensive skills yet again to get out of trouble against Wawrinka and may need to repeat the dose against the equally dangerous Berdych.
Prediction
Berdych has only defeated Djokovic once in 11 meetings but the Czech world no.6 will still fancy his chances of causing the upset tonight.
Despite the lop sided head to head record, Berdych and Djokovic have only met twice at Grand Slam level, with both players sharing a victory each.
Berdych defeated Djokovic at the 2010 Wimbledon championships in straight sets before Djokovic got his revenge by crushing the Czech star in straight sets at the 2011 Australian Open.
Tonight’s contest promises to be a closely fought affair between two players who are no strangers to reaching the latter stages of Grand Slams.
Berdych is yet to drop a set at this year’s Australian Open, and is more than capable of beating the very best when it counts, as evidenced by his four set win over Roger Federer at the US Open last year.
The former Wimbledon finalist possesses a great serve coupled with an ability to hit deep flat groundstrokes off both the forehand and backhand side.
If Berdych can take a leaf out of Wawrinka’s book and keep Djokovic pinned deep outside the baseline, then he will give himself an almighty chance of causing the upset.
Having been bullied by Wawrinka however, expect Djokovic to come out all guns blazing in an attempt to blow Berdych off the park early.
The reigning Australian Open champion will be keen to showcase his best form after starting poorly against Wawrinka the other night.
Djokovic’s unforced error count will most likely be at a minimum tonight as he aims to improve on his fourth round performance.
With this in mind, expect Djokovic to raise his game tonight and secure victory in four tightly contested sets.
Djokovic in four sets.
Alan
Roar Guru
Well Djokovic now plays Ferrer for a place in the 2013 Aus Open final and few will bet against him from reaching the decider now after his strong performance against Berdych. Berdych was up and down tonight and was punished dearly by Djokovic in the first and third sets. A good tournament nonetheless for the Czech player. Djokovic rolls on though and continues to be the player to beat. Thanks for joining us tonight and please join us tomorrow for Federer - Tsonga. Berdych 1 6 1 4 Djokovic 6 4 6 6
Alan
Roar Guru
GAME SET AND MATCH DJOKOVIC - Djokovic serves an ace down the tee and he defeats a valiant Berdych in four sets tonight. Too good from the Serb and its another semi-final appearance for the Serb at the Aus Open. Berdych 1 6 1 4 Djokovic 6 4 6 6
Alan
Roar Guru
Djokovic too good with the wide serve yet again and he finishes the point off with the volley and its match point yet again.... Berdych 1 6 1 4 Djokovic 6 4 6 5
Alan
Roar Guru
Berdych not going away here as he returns well and then wins the point with the forehand down the line. Deuce Berdych 1 6 1 4 Djokovic 6 4 6 5
Alan
Roar Guru
Djokovic with another match point courtesy of a strong serve down the tee.... Berdych 1 6 1 4 Djokovic 6 4 6 5
Alan
Roar Guru
Djokovic long with the backhand crossscourt short and that was routine shot for Djokovic. Big miss and its back to deuce. Berdych 1 6 1 4 Djokovic 6 4 6 5
Alan
Roar Guru
Djokovic with a forehand winner there and its match point yet again after a controversial point where Berdyh was able to challenge. Berdych 1 6 1 4 Djokovic 6 4 6 5
Alan
Roar Guru
Djokovic with a poor backhand slice that hits the net and its deuce. Both players getting tight here... Berdych 1 6 1 4 Djokovic 6 4 6 5
Alan
Roar Guru
Djokovic with a strong serve down the tee and its match point for the Serb after just over 2 hours of play here..... Berdych 1 6 1 4 Djokovic 6 4 6 5
Alan
Roar Guru
Berdych with a terrible forehand error as the shot goes long and its 30 all. Berdych 1 6 1 4 Djokovic 6 4 6 5
Alan
Roar Guru
Berdych with good play there and he forces the error from Djokovic. 15-30. Berdych 1 6 1 4 Djokovic 6 4 6 5
Alan
Roar Guru
Berdych with a great forehand winner and its 0-15. Great start for the Czech star there. Berdych nets the return though and its 15 all Berdych 1 6 1 4 Djokovic 6 4 6 5
Alan
Roar Guru
Berdych holds on well here and Djokovic will serve for the match now. Berdych did well with the forehand there to hold and its all or nothing now. Berdych 1 6 1 4 Djokovic 6 4 6 5
Alan
Roar Guru
Djokovic too good with the return and he finishes the point with a forehand winner and its 30-15. Berdych with an ace and its game point Berdych 1 6 1 3 Djokovic 6 4 6 5
Alan
Roar Guru
Good rally ends with a Djokovic slice that hits the net and its 15-0 Berdych. He really needed that first point. Djokovic long with the forehand and its 30-0 Berdych 1 6 1 3 Djokovic 6 4 6 5
Alan
Roar Guru
Djokovic with an ace out wide and he holds and is one game away from a place in the semi-final against Ferrer. Berdych 1 6 1 3 Djokovic 6 4 6 5
Alan
Roar Guru
Djokovic with an unforced error and its 30-15. Relentless from the forehand side is Djokovic. 40-15 Berdych 1 6 1 3 Djokovic 6 4 6 4
Alan
Roar Guru
Djokovic too good with the serve and forehand combination and its 15-0. He is yet to concede a point on serve in the fourth set. Clinical from the world no.1. Djokovic with an ace and its 30-0 Berdych 1 6 1 3 Djokovic 6 4 6 4
Alan
Roar Guru
Djokovic with a wonderful backhand slice drop shot and its 40-30. Great play from the Serb. Berdych with a good forehand followed by a smash and he holds well and hangs on in the fourth set. Berdych 1 6 1 3 Djokovic 6 4 6 4
Alan
Roar Guru
Berdych serves a double fault and its 30-15 now. Djokovic long with the forehand and its 40-15. Berdych 1 6 1 2 Djokovic 6 4 6 4