American underdog Mardy Fish continued an impressive Cincinnati run by upsetting 2008 Cincinnati champion Andy Murray in a thrilling 2 hour and 56 minute match.
The first set was up for grabs as both men struggled with their first serve percentages with each serving at less than 50 percent. Murray managed to steal the set in a tiebreak 7-6 (7). Fish fought back in the second, breaking Murray back-to-back and holding serve. Murray received treatment on his right leg in between service games and seemed lethargic in the second set, allowing Fish to run away with the second 6-1.
This set up a dramatic third set with both players refusing to give way. The set fittingly went into a tiebreak. Fish strung together a series of impressive shots and volleys to receive a match point on his serve at 6-5. He finished it out 7-6(5) and received a standing ovation as he reached the semifinals for the second time in Cincinnati.
No. 9 seed Andy Roddick also scored an upset in the second match of the day defeating two-time Cincinnati finalist Novak Djokovic. The first set was tight as Roddick converted on one of two break points to close out the set 6-4.
Roddick stepped up again early in the second set as he earned three break points and converted on one to go up 2-1. Djokovic would break back but Roddick returned the favor in the next game bringing it to 6-5 with the match on Roddick’s racquet. Djokovic refused to go down easy, earning himself a break point at 30-40. Roddick’s powerful serve got him out of trouble and he was able to capture the match 6-4, 7-5.
Roddick tallied nine aces for the day, winning 83 percent of his first serves. He will meet countryman Mardy Fish in the semifinals Saturday, in a match that could prove to divide a crowd that has been solidly behind each for the entire tournament.
No. 3 seed Roger Federer defeated No. 6 seed Nikolay Davydenko in the third quarterfinal match of the day. Federer was tested by Davydenko on numerous occasions but, as usual, kept his composure and overcame the Russian in straight sets 6-4, 7-5.
Federer awaits the winner of Marcos Baghdatis and rival and top seed Rafael Nadal, a match played at 7 p.m. Thursday night. It would be the 22 meeting between Federer and Nadal but only the fifth not in a final. Nadal leads the series 14-7. Federer has play Baghdatis 7 times, including the Round of 16 in Cincinnati in 2007 (Federer won 7-6(5), 7-5). Federer leads that series 6-1.