SEOpen: Men’s Semifinal Preview

by: Nima Naderi

Key Biscayne, Fla—A decimated field at this year’s Sony Ericsson Open has left a few familiar names standing, while entertaining two relative surprises.

Of course, posting Rafael Nadal and Andy Roddick in the semifinals is far from a surprise. Both players have been near the top of the sport for close to a decade.

However, when looking at the top half of the draw, there certainly couldn’t have been a lot riding on a Robin Soderling vs. Tomas Berdych final four clash.

Nevertheless, even though Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray (all former champions) are ancient news at this point, Friday’s semifinals could very well sprovide enough energy for the crowd at Crandon Park.

Rafael Nadal vs. Andy Roddick

Nadal leads 5-2 in career head-to-head meetings, while splitting four hard-court meetings with Roddick.

The day’s first semifinal will pit two of the tournament’s most cherished jewels. As usual, Nadal has brought his charismatic ways to Miami, which has been highlighted up by fierce backcourt play and a well embraced yellow shirt. What has impressed me the most about Nadal this week has been his ability to hold his serve when he’s needed to, while ironing out the kinks in his forehand that had let him down against Ivan Ljubicic in Indian Wells.

Nadal has that look of ruthless abandonment back in his eyes; a look that tells his opponent’s that he’s ready to go the distance at the highest level.

Roddick by similar fashion has held up his end of the deal when serving and playing from the backcourt. Fitter than he’s ever been, the former US Open champion is playing smarter more veteran tennis these days, upholding a blue-colored mentality, while striking his serve with pin-point accuracy.

Although Roddick continues to play the percentages, he’ll need to take bigger cuts off his forehand wing if he’s to upset Nadal. Nadal was in full flight against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the previous round, dancing around his backhand, while bludgeoning his forehand past the Frenchman.

Nadal definitely holds the edge against Roddick off the ground, but I’d say from a fitness perspective that Roddick is one of the few players on the circuit that can last with Nadal—at a high level—for three full sets. That in its own right will allow Roddick ample opportunity to get settled.

Nadal mentioned after his quarterfinal victory that he needed to serve well against Roddick. If he can hold onto his serve (just like he’s been doing thus far), he should receive enough short balls from Roddick’s backhand to dictate the baseline exchanges.

Both players have improved considerably over the past few years, but I’ll stay with the energetic Spaniard to plow through to his third Miami final.

Roddick will need to angle his serve instead of pounding it if he’s to advance, but something tells me he’ll revert back to his powerful ways and play right into Nadal’s hands.

Pick: Nadal in three sets.

Robin Soderling vs. Tomas Berdych

Berdych leads 4-2 in career head-to-head meetings, and 3-1 on hard-courts.

The lumberjack match of the event will bring forth two of hardest hitters on Tour on one vulnerable center court. Riffling through the competition in Miami, Soderling and Berdych have resurrected power tennis in its purest form: Hit hard, then harder, and hope it goes in. Luckily for these two, most of their shots have landed in the purple rectangle at Crandon Park, and brought forth a few major upsets.

Berdych avoided a let down after defeating Federer by dismissing Fernando Verdasco in the quarterfinals. Showing rare mental fortitude, Berdych appears ready to shake off all the ups and downs which construct a tennis match.

In terms of his physical game, Berdych has shown tremendous foot speed for a man his size, chasing down perspective winners from the forehands of Federer and Verdasco.

The Birdman has also served lights out when he’s needed to, blasting his serve upwards of 130 MPH. Reaching his second semifinal in Miami, Berdych will be on deck for a taste of his own medicine, and then some.

Soderling has continued his stellar form from Indian Wells, where he reached his first-ever semifinal. Losing one set in-route to the final four in Florida, Soderling has looked as sharp as anyone in the event.

What I’ve always liked about Soderling is his ability to only care about what’s going on in his side of the court. Although he hasn’t posted the best results previously on outdoor hard-courts, the Swede is beginning to take the advice of his coach Magnus Norman, and it’s paying off in spades.

Confidence is key in tennis, and Soderling has oodles of that to spare at the moment. I’d be suprised if that ended against Berdych on Friday.

For Berdych to win this match, he’ll have to defeat his third quality opponent in a row—something he’s rarely used to doing.

For Soderling to reach his first career Masters 1000 final, he’ll have to continue with his current formula of power and confidence. I just don’t see that going anywhere.

Look for power, look for pressure, but when it’s all said and done a battered center court will have a Swedish finalist.

Pick: Soderling in straight sets.

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