At the start of the BNP Paribas Open, the expectation was that Roger Federer would cruise through Andy Roddick on his way to meeting Andy Murray in the semifinals. However this being tennis, nothing was set in stone, as Federer lost early allowing Roddick a clearer path into his second straight Indian Wells semifinals. Meanwhile, Murray picked the wrong day to have an off-day against the always solid Robin Soderling.
Andy Roddick took on Tommy Robredo in the first quarterfinal match of the day and the odds were high Roddick would win based on his 10-0 lifetime record against the Spainard. Form held again as Roddick cruised to a 6-3, 7-5 win. Roddick won a steller 93% of his first serve points while Robredo did little to change his game plan or serving patterns allowing Roddick ample time to fine tune his return game and pick his spots in the rallies.
The second semifinal between Murray and Soderling had the potential to be a tight match based on both player’s early round form. But after a very long first game where Murray had chances to break Soderling’s opening service game but didn’t, the Swede soon found his game as he cracked winners with ease especially on the forehand side. Murray meanwhile looked flat and out of sorts and did his best to hold onto his serve at 5-1 before Soderling served it out.
Murray, to his credit, managed to keep close with the Swede after going down an early break. Soderling served for it at 5-4 but played a few tight points allowing Murray to break him and get things to 5-5. Soderling soon righted himself and got things into a tiebreak. It was there the Swede found his range and serve again allowing him to finally close the match out fifteen minutes later to win 6-1, 7-6(4).
Soderling will now take on Roddick who has not beaten the Swede in two meetings. Rafael Nadal will take on Ivan Ljubicic in the other semifinal.
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