Barcelona Your Call, 4.25

By Peter BodoPublished April 25, 2009

BARCELONA, SPAIN - APRIL 24: Fernando Gonzalez of Chile reacts protesting to a lines man during his match against Fernando Verdasco of Spain on day five of the ATP 500 World Tour Barcelona Open Banco Sabadell 2009 tennis tournament at the Real Club de Tenis on April 24, 2009 in Barcelona, Spain. Gonzalez won the match in three sets, 6-3, 4-6 and 6-4. (Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty Images) — © 2009 Getty Images

Good afternoon all (and good morning if you're ion the other side of the Atlantic). The semifinals in Barcelona are beginning shortly, as we near the end of an almost Murray free tennis-viewing week here in the UK. So far there have only been a couple of mentions of the Scot by TV commentators, and only one of those could be said to have overestimated his achievements to date. I don't have a thing against Andy Murray, you understand - in fact I'm quite a fan - but....well, others in here in the UK will know what it's like. There are only eight weeks between now and the start of Wimbledon, and if he's not mentioned often enough some of us might forget who he is. Never fear - the Rome draw should be out very soon. Nalbandian, Monfils, Roddick and Ancic are all out, but Mr Murray is definitely expected.

Returning to (red) earth for a moment, today's first Barcelona semifinal features Nikolay Davydenko and Rafael Nadal. Their head-to-head stands 3-2 in favour of the world number one, including both meetings so far on clay. However, Kolya managed to take a set from Rafa when the two met in Rome two years ago, in one of the best three-set claycourt matches of the year.

The second semifinal features David Ferrer (looking to repeat his appearance in the final last year) and Fernando Gonzalez. Gonzalez leads their head-to-head 4-2, including having taken both of their matches on clay; however, it's almost three years since they played each other. The Spaniard would be the local favourite in any event, but the Chilean didn't win himself many fans in the crowd yesterday with his repeated questioning of line calls during his match against Fernando Verdasco. Ah well - how many times do we have a reason to feature a picture of Gonzo viewed from this angle in TennisWorld?

As always, enjoy today's tennis.

- Rosangel Valenti

Master Ace provides the TWibe with the following timechecks for today's Fed Cup Playoffs:

All Times TW (United States Eastern Time Zone)

Russia @ Italy - outdoor clay - 6 AM
Anna Chakvetadze vs Flavia Pennetta
Svetlana Kuznetsova vs Francesca Schiavone
United States @ Czech Republic - indoor hard - 7:30 AM
Bethanie Mattek-Sands vs Petra Kvitova
Alexa Glatch vs Iveta Benesova

World Group Playoffs - all matchups are on outdoor clay except where noted - winners advance to main group

Serbia @ Spain - 7 AM
Jankovic vs Martinez Sanchez
Ivanovic vs Medina Garrigues

Slovak Republic @ France - 7:30 AM - indoor clay
Hantuchova vs Cornet
Cibulkova vs Mauresmo

China @ Germany - 6 AM
Zheng vs Lisicki
Peng vs Groenefeld

Ukraine @ Argentina - 9 AM
Koryttseva vs Cravero
A Bondarenko vs Irigoyen

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