Sunday, October 11, 2009

Cilic Thwarts Rafa, to Meet Djokovic in Final





Marin Cilic proved that his win over Andy Murray at the U.S. Open was no fluke when he absolutely trounced Rafael Nadal in the semifinals of the China Open, clinching the Croat a spot in the final, where he will meet Novak Djokovic. Djokovic had a solid day at the office as well, earning a straight sets win over Robin Soderling, 6-3, 6-3. Following Nadal's 6-1, 6-3 beating, the world number 2 praised his young opponent, saying “He was serving unbelievably and his returning was very fast and playing winners all the time.” Cilic will head into his final against Djokovic with a dismal 0-3, but despite what the papers say the 8th seed has plenty of confidence, telling the press, “I’m going to have a shot.”


Svetlana Kuznetsova saved her best for the late rounds, as evident by her 6-1, 6-3 demolition of compatriot Nadia Petrova, who just might have played her best tennis too early, when she beat Serena Williams. Kuznetsova will square-off with Agnieszka Radwanska, the 12th seed, in the final after the Pole's 4 and 3 win over 14th seeded Marion Bartoli. Kuznetsova, the 2006 champion in Beijing, told the press her strategy following her win. “I tried to move her around. I knew it was her weakness.” That definitely won't work against Aggy.

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