Top four seeds secure places in semi-finals

Written by changthai11 on Saturday, September 27th, 2008

The Thailand Open went by the plot as the top four seeds secured quarter-final wins yesterday.

Top seed Novak Djokovic of Serbia battled past Sweden’s sixth seed Robin Soderling 6-4, 7-5 in 90 minutes at Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani.

In today’s semi-finals, the world number three will meet third-seeded Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic who stopped Frenchman Nicolas Mahut’s good run with a 7-6 (8-6), 6-3 win.

In the other semi-final, French stars second seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and fourth-ranked Gael Monfils will have to forget their friendship and vie for a final spot.

Australian Open runner-up Tsonga eased past Juergen Melzer of Austria 6-3, 6-2 while French Open semi-finalist Monfils beat Germany’s Philipp Petzschner 7-6 (8-6), 6-4.

Djokovic, who lost in the first round in his only previous Thailand Open appearnce in 2004, broke Soderling in the final game to win the opening set in 38 minutes.

The Serb broke early in the second set but lost service while trying to close out the match at 5-3. However, he quickly made it right with a concluding break to secure the win.

”It was a difficult match. He is powerful and I am aware of that. I knew one break in a set would mean a lot,” Djokovic said.

”The semi-final will be really tough. It will be my first time to play Tomas. I have heard some great opinions about Tomas. He is powerful, has great groundstrokes and great serve.”

World number 20 Tsonga from Le Mans, who made 13 aces, needed only 55 minutes to finish off Melzer.

”It was an easy match today. I felt very comfortable and played good tennis,” he said

”I am very delighted to play in the semi-finals and play Gael who is my good friend.

”We are friends but we will treat each other like any other opponent.”

Tsonga, who was sidelined for three months this year, will play in his first semi-final since returning to action at the US Open.

World No 30 Monfils beat world No 131 Petzschner 7-6 (8-6), 6-4

”To play here for the first time and reach the semi-finals is a pleasing performance for me. I am ready to reach the final,” said the 22-year-old Parisian.

World No 27 Berdych beat number 74 Mahut 7-6 (8-6), 6-3 in one hour and 40 minutes.