But luck has a way of changing things. Roger Federer had a lung infection and withdrew. Nadal was not ready to return back to the tour. Davydenko’s wrist bothered him. Andy Murray spent ten days pouting and then showed up at Dubai, not entirely sure he wanted to be there, and lost to Janko Tipsarevic, in a match he deemed as practicing a few things.
But with two players left standing, Novak Djokovic is in the finals again. Djokovic is such an unpredictable player. Once someone that was solidly entrenched at number 3, Djokovic plays the smaller tournaments well. Djokovic doesn’t have a particular huge game, but he’s quick, consistent, and accurate. He has just enough power to avoid getting attacked most of the times.
In the semifinals, he played yet another three setter, this time with Cypriot, Marcos Baghdatis. Baghdatis took the first set in a tiebreak with Djokovic struggling with his serve, having to save break point after break point. Djokovic took the second set 6-3, then the third 6-4.
He’ll face Mikhail Youzhny who has been having a few good months lately including being a finalist in Rotterdam. Youzhny beat veteran Jurgen Melzer, 7-5, 7-6(4).
In Acapulco, Juan Carlos Ferrero has reached yet another final, his third in three consecutive tournaments. Juan Monaco retired after a set with in injury to his side. He’ll face the winner of Fernando Gonzalez and David Ferrer. Ferrer reached the finals of Buenos Aires last week.
In Delray Beach, Gulbis, Nieminen, and Karlovic have reached the semis. Gulbis is having another good week. Mardy Fish is playing Jeremy Chardy for the last semifinal spot.
