Novak Djokovic and Tomas Berdych
clash in the quarter-finals of the Internazionali BNL d'Italia 2013 on Friday,
the 17th May. Djokovic has had eleven straight victories over
Berdych and looks in good form to make it dirty dozen. He steamrolled Alexandr
Dolgopolov in straight sets in the third round.
In their clashes, it is the match
up that comes into play. Berdych has similar style but Djokovic is the master
of that style. Berdych has sometimes troubled Roger Federer with his aggressive
play, but Djokovic has the uncanny style to use opponent’s aggression against
the opponent himself. He can change direction of a powerful shot with
consummate ease and let the opponent have a taste of his own medicine. He matches
Berdych in serve and is superior in almost all other aspects of the game.
Berdych’s strength against others is good serve and relentless aggression on
the ground strokes especially from the forehand side. Djokovic chases all the balls
and makes opponent go for the extra angle which eventually takes the shots
beyond the lines.
If Berdych has to win this match,
he not only has to play exceptionally well but also hope that Djokovic coughs
up numerous unforced errors. On a normal day, that is unlikely to happen.
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