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Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2017: Thursday Tennis Scores, Results, Updated Schedule
- Updated: January 5, 2017
Novak Djokovic reached the semi-finals of the 2017 Qatar ExxonMobil Open after beating Radek Stepanek in straight sets on Thursday. Djokovic will meet Spaniard Fernando Verdasco in the final four on Friday.
The other semi-final match will pit top-seeded Andy Murray against Tomas Berdych after the third seed beat Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in straight sets. Murray made hard work of his match against unseeded Nicolas Almagro, being pushed to a tiebreak in the first set before closing out the second in only slightly less difficult circumstances.
The result of the day perhaps belonged to Verdasco, though, who beat another seeded player to reach the last four. Verdasco saw off sixth-seeded Ivo Karlovic after making easy work of the first set, winning 6-2.
Things were closer in the second, but Verdasco had the edge to cross the line at 7-5. Karlovic became another high-profile victim of Verdasco after the Spaniard beat fourth-seeded David Goffin on Wednesday.
Here are the results from Thursday’s matches:
For a look at Friday’s semi-final schedule, visit the ATP World Tour’s official website.
Recap
The windy conditions were proving treacherous when Djokovic took to centre court in Doha, Qatar. However, the Serb handled the winds professionally, regularly staying ahead of a cagey Stepanek.
Break points formed the key to Djokovic’s win. He saved three of four break points while also breaking Stepanek’s serve on four of six …
