2013 Monte Carlo Masters: Semi-finals Preview

As eagerly as it was awaited, the 2013 Monte Carlo Masters hasn’t disappointed or dampened the expectations at all. So far, there hasn’t been a match where there hasn’t been an exciting twist or turn; with even the most straight-forward ones springing an upset or two in their wake. And going by the trend displayed, it wouldn’t be surprising if the semi-finals brought a few curve-balls of their own.

Rafael Nadal’s claims that his picture-perfect run at the Monte Carlo Masters would indeed be halted at some point almost seemed like a prediction, especially after the Spaniard confessed about his unexpected tentativeness while serving at 4-4 in the final set. On the opposite side of the draw, world no. 1 and top-seed Novak Djokovic was broken early on in his quarter-final match against resurgent Finn, Jarkko Nieminen, though he bounced back in time to level the scores at 3-3 and went on to take the match in straight sets. Against Tsonga and Fognini respectively, both Rafa and Nole thus come in tried and tested, a completely different take from their past performances yet no less enlivening.

First Semi-final: Jo-Wilfred Tsonga versus Rafael Nadal

The Frenchman has done well to get this far into the Monte Carlo Masters. A couple of straight set victories against Nikolay Davydenko and Jurgen Melzer in his two opening rounds pitted him against Swiss Stan Wawrinka. And though Tsonga started the match in an unsure fashion, losing the opening set 2-6, he recovered well to turn the match in his favour. Against Nadal, Tsonga would be keen to start the match strong, taking on cues from where he was dominant in his previous matches at the Masters. If he is able to hold on to his service games and try and come to the net as he did in his match against Wawrinka, Rafa should be in for a tough fight.

On the other hand, Nadal’s impressive head-to-head would be a key factor for the Spaniard as would be his own resurgence against the Bulgarian in their quarter-final match. There aren’t any chinks in Nadal’s arsenal that could prevent him from getting into his ninth straight Monte Carlo finals making Rafael Nadal, the clear favourite between the two semi-finalists.

Match Forecast: Rafael Nadal def. Jo-Wilfred Tsonga in Straight Sets

Second Semi-final: Novak Djokovic versus Fabio Fognini

Fabio Fognini has surprised everyone, first by ousting Czech Tomas Berdych and then by cleanly slicing through Richard Gasquet’s game. As far as impressiveness and making impressions go, the Italian has more than made his mark. His ranking is set to enter into the top-30 for the first time and even though an underdog going into the semi-finals, finds himself as the univocal ‘dark horse’ favourite to cause yet another upset.

Novak Djokovic, by contrast, has erased all doubts about his fitness and barring his two opening rounds against Mikhail Youzhny and Juan Monaco, had a comparatively sedate passage into the semi-finals. If Nole is able to attain and maintain to his rhythm right from the early moments of the match, Fognini would find it difficult to jar Nole’s momentum.

Match Forecast: Novak Djokovic def. Fabio Fognini in Three Sets