Aussie Open 2012, Day 10

The first four quarters have been decided and the remaining four were played today on another blisteringly hot day down under. 


In the first match of the day Kvitova took on surprise quarter-finalist Errani. Kvitova seemed flustered from the start and Errani wasn't about to let that pass as she sliced and diced her way through an intriguing first set. Kvitova was not firing at her best and clearly felt like she should be winning much easier than she was. She was muttering to herself and screaming at every missed shot. She was letting the old demons get to her and Errani was not helping at all.


They had some great rallies and Errani pushed Kvitova all the way but eventually lost the set 6-4. You would have thought this would boost Kvitova but instead she fell deeper into herself and Errani quickly established a 4-1 lead. With the Wimbledon champion's game deteriorating ever further and the feisty Italian playing some great tennis, it looked as if a third set was inevitable. 


Kvitova, however, began to hit out and find her shots again and Errani had little answer as the Czech drew level at 4-4. With Errani fighting until the end Kvitova had to find some of her best form of the Championships so far to eventually overcome Italy's number two 6-4 6-4.


Sharapova took on giant-killer Makarova in the last women's quarter. It was a much easier ride for the world number three as she saw off the Russian 6-2 6-3 quite comfortably. She will take on Kvitova in the second semi-final tomorrow. What a match that will be.


In the men's draw Murray took on Japan's Nishikori and Djokovic met a determined Ferrer. Both men won in straight sets but they had a very different feel about them.


Murray set an imperious standard with a completely dominant display from start to finish. He was too strong, too penetrating, too clever and too brilliant for Japan's soon to be first ever top 20 player. He was very attacking on the break points which is something he's going to try and implement this year. Watching Murray attack is like opening up that Christmas present that you've been waiting for your whole life. And doesn't he do it well? Please, Murray, do it more often.


The Briton will meet Djokovic in the semi-final as the world number one scrapped a tough win against David Ferrer - the almost-man. The Spanish number two pushed Djokovic all the way and a lot of the Serb's performance was strangely flat. He even started talking to himself and looking helplessly up at his box - the Djokovic of old. Not a good sign. He pulled himself together for the final set and played more like the Djokovic who won this competition last year. He was looking very scary by the time he wrapped up the 6-4 7-6 6-1 and the match up with Murray should be a real hum dinger.


I'll keep you blogged...