For Nikolai Davydenko, the game of the fourth round against the Czech Tomas Berdykh promised to become the most difficult so far in the tournament. A high third sowing number and a successful draw allowed the Russian not to meet elite rivals on his way to today's game. Berdykh was also difficult to classify as such - due to carelessness. The Czech, “seeded” by the thirteenth, knocked out several eminent rivals from the fight, but this is not enough for the status of a favorite of the championship. So far, not enough. Tomas is rightfully included in the list of the main talents of the new generation along with Nadal, Djokovic and Murray. However, each of the above has somehow proved its extraordinary status. It’s only for Tomas. The beginning of the Czech ascent to the elite could well have been laid in Australia. At least a victory over Davydenko and reaching the quarter-finals would be a good bid.
Match Czech began with a good mood. The first set became a traditional intelligence. It was Berdykh who was the first to take active action, making a decisive break at the end of the game. In the second set, the Russian acted more actively and carefully, equalizing the score. In the subsequent game, the decisive factor was the composure and experience of Nicholas as opposed to the youthful emotionality of the opponent. Having mumbled in the third set lost without a chance, in the fourth Berdykh was faster and fresher than Nicholas, but several errors of the linear judges led Tomas out of himself. He never found the way back, having started to send his balls out. As a result, the fate of the match was decided on a tie-break, which Davydenko spent more focused opponent. Now, for reaching the semi-finals, our only representative in the men's tournament will meet with German Tommy Haas. Also in the quarter finals will play Roger Federer (Switzerland) - Tommy Robredo (Spain), Mardy Fish (USA) - Andy Roddick (USA), Fernando Gonzalez (Chile) - Rafael Nadal (Spain).
In another match of the day that interested us, two Russians met - Maria Sharapova and Vera Zvonareva. Despite the status of Mary, it was believed that Vera would be able to fight. She started the season well and in Australia she demonstrated very good tennis, but today it was not enough to win. In the first set, before the score 5: 5, both tennis players managed to take points on their serve, but it took Zvonareva much more power. Sharapova took advantage of this and made a break. In the second set, Maria quite easily took the first two games and it already seemed that Zvonareva, known for her emotionality, had broken down. But Vera nevertheless gathered, made a reverse break and was close even to victory in the set. With a score of 4: 5, she received a triple break point, which she failed to realize, however, and lost the match.
The Russian duel in Australia did not end with this match. In the next round, Sharapova will play with Anna Chakvetadze, who claims to be the main opening of the women's tournament. Anna confidently beat Swiss Patty Schnyder in the fourth round, and for the first time in her life she has a chance to reach the semifinals of the Grand Slam tournament. Other quarter-finals will be played by Kim Kleisters (Belgium) - Martina Hingis (Switzerland), Serena Williams (USA) - Shahar Peer (Israel), Nicole Vaidisova (Czech Republic) - Lucia Shafarzhova (Czech Republic).
Andrey IVANTSOV