01.05.2009

ATP - SEMIS AGAINST DJOKOVIC

Roger fended off a challenge from German qualifier Mischa Zverev at the Rome Masters today to secure a 7-6 (3), 6-2 victory. He will now meet defending champion Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals.

"He was playing well I thought from the start. He served some good serves and that made it easy for him to hold in the beginning. It made it hard for me to get the break," said Roger.

Both players made a good start into the match, taking it all the way to the tie-break. Zverev took a fast 2-0 lead - but that was not to last. Roger played several fantastic points to secure the first set 7-3 in the tie-break. The second set was completely in Roger's hands, where our champ displayed tennis in perfection and marched to a 4-0 lead.

Roger has a 7-3 winning record against Djokovic, including victories in their only two previous encounters on clay at Monte Carlo in 2006 and 2008.