Top seeds go through to Melbourne semis

Petra Kvitova booked her place in the semi final with a win over Sara Errani.  It was a tough match which saw the erratic Czech go 4-1 down in the second set making 44 unforced errors.  She managed to get through the match winning 6-4, 6-4 and is still in with a chance of the number one spot.  Kvitova will now face Maria Sharapova who beat her fellow Russion Ekaterina Makarova who had stunned Serena Williams in the round before.  But for Sharapova it was very straightforward winning 6-2, 6-3. 

Andy Murray dominated his match against Japans Kei Nishikori strolling into the semis with a 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 win, ending Nishikori’s successful run at the Australian Open.  Fatigue seem too show with the 22 year old Japanese failing in the third and what proved to be the final set.  He will now face the reigning champion Novak Djokovic who suffered with a leg strain and breathing difficulties in his match against Spain’s David Ferrer coming through 6-4, 7-6, 6-1.  Djokovic spent two hours and 44 minutes on court participating in some long epic rallies.  It will now be a rematch of last year’s final for Djokovic and Murray. 

Murray withdraws from the ATP Finals

Andy Murray withdraws from the ATP Tour Finals

Andy Murray has pulled out of the ATP Tour Finals with a groin injury.  It is not entirely surprising after having treatment during his defeat against David Ferrer yesterday.  Whilst warming up with his replacement, Janko Tipsarevic on Sunday, he was also touching his arm which could also have been a factor to him pulling out of the last tournament of the year.  As Federer has beaten Nadal, Federer regains the No.3 ranking. 



Janko Tipsarevic takes Murray's place after practising with him on Sunday. 



London's Calling

The top 8 players and teams have been finalised and they are heading to London for the ATP Tour World Finals and today the groups were announced. 

Group A                                                                                                                       Group B

Novak Djokovic                                                                                                             Rafael Nadal

Andy Murray                                                                                                                 Roger Federer

David Ferrer                                                                                                                  Jo Wilfred Tsonga

Thomas Berdych                                                                                                           Mardy Fish

I think the two that make it out of each group will depend on injuries.  It has been a long hard season for all 8 with Djokovic, Nadal and Fish all pulling out of last week’s Paris Masters so we will have to wait and see how ready they will be.  This is why I think Murray has a real chance to win this year as he has had a fantastic end to the season.  Even though he lost to Berdych in the Semis in Paris this will fire up his determination and remind him that he can be beaten by everybody in this final 8.  Tsonga could be the dark horse of the competition, he made it to the final in Paris with the help of the French crowed; but the English love him to with his magnificent showing at Queens adn Wimbledon this summer.  But again his progress through Group B could depend on any injuries that the players have sustained in the past few weeks.   

Easy Pickings for top 4 seeds in Paris

The top seeds have hit Paris today, all dispatching their opponents in 2 straightforward sets. 

Andy Murray bt Jeremy Chardy 6-2, 6-4

Roger Federer bt Adrian Mannarino 6-2, 6-3

Novak Djokovic bt Ivan Dodig 6-4, 6-3

David Ferrer bt Nicholas Mahut 6-4, 6-4

They all had convincing wins to progress into the 3^rd round and never faced any real pressure.  Murray suited the court as the French have made the surface incredibly slow compared to last year; this has played into the hands of Murray as it will make it very difficult for his opponents to get the ball past him.  Novak Djokovic made easy progress into the 3^rd round but he did not have to play his best against Dodig which is just as well as it he did not have to push his shoulder as hard as he will against the top players.  Andy Murray’s next match will be against the American, Andy Roddick.