Saturday, August 17, 2013

 

Good morning from the Western & Southern Open, where world-class tennis action continues this afternoon! Men play in the afternoon, the top women at the night session.

 

But before we preview today’s action, let’s look back at last night’s epic #XXXI matchup between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. It was the buzz of the Lindner Family Tennis Center all day as anticipation built for the clash of the two tennis titans. The stands were packed on Center Court for the 31^st time these two tennis legends played, and they did not disappoint.

 

Once Federer took the first set 7-5, Nadal took over and won the next two, 6-4, 6-3 and fans gave both a long ovation—not just in appreciation of this one match, but all those battles before, and those to come. So the five time Western & Southern Champion (and defending champ) Roger Federer bows out, and Nadal moves to the semifinals.

 

So let’s look at today’s matchups, with day session action starting at 1 p.m.  Nadal will face sixth seed Thomas Berdych, who was part of  one of the two big upsets in Friday’s action. Berdych upset second seed and Wimbledon winner Andy Murray to move to the semis. Nadal has won his previous two matchups this season against Berdych.

 

This afternoon’s other semifinal, which opens the day session, has Juan Martin Del Potro against John Isner, who pulled off the other big Friday upset, defeating Novak Djokovic.

 

Night session on Center Court starts with top seed Serena Williams facing defending Western & Southern Open champion Li Na, then Jelena Jankovic goes against Victoria Azarenka, who defeated Caroline Wozniacki in late Friday action.

 

Also, for your Bryan brothers fans, they’ll be playing the second doubles match on Grandstand (not before 4:30 p.m.) for today’s day session.

 

Again, come early (gates open two hours before the first match) and enjoy the food, music and shopping at the Lindner Family Tennis Center. It should be another spectacular day of tennis as we set the field for Sunday’s finals.