Update 6:45 pm. Eighth seed Bernard Tomic continues to fly the flag for Australia, putting together a tidy serving performance to dispatch unseeded Uzbekistani Denis Istomin and set up his first ATP tour semifinal against top seed Andy Murray.
It was a battle of big serves between Tomic and Istomin with eight aces apiece for the match, but Tomic proved the more consistent, converting the only break point of the match and winning the crucial points to claim the 6-3 7-6(4) win.
Tomic is thrilled at the chance to play his first tour semifinal at his home tournament, and—despite never facing a break point today—he knows that playing the world No.4 he can’t afford to give away those early points in a game like he did against Istomin today.
“It’s a good confidence booster to do it here and it’s a lot of good confidence leading into Melbourne in a few weeks, so it’s good stuff. I’m playing well and hopefully I can keep it up and have a good match tomorrow against Andy,” Tomic said.
“I think it’ll be a key not being down 0-30 against a player like that because normally they get on top of you then. Today I got away with it, but on a player like him tomorrow if I’m down 0-30 or 0-40 I think game’s done.”
“He won’t miss as easily as players outside the top 10 miss, he can last a lot in a rally and get a lot of balls back and that’s where it’s tough. You lose your mind and want to go for a winner against a player like that, so I’m going to have to when I get my chance take it, not go for too much and hopefully stay consistent to a part with him.”
The 19-year-old Australian got on top early in the opening set, taking advantage of a weak Istomin service game and utilising deep ground strokes to break for a 3-1 lead after just 16 minutes of play.
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Getting plenty of free points on his serve, Tomic put away a professional first set, with Istomin unable to conjure any break-back opportunities.
But, the Uzbekistani—who was yet to play a full match after his first opponent retired and his second withdrew—stepped up his game in the second set, taking his first serve percentage from 32 per cent in the first set to 71 per cent in the second.
The two competed for aces throughout the set in a stalemate that made a tiebreak the only fitting resolution. But, with luck in his favour, Tomic got on top in the breaker, closing the match out with a forehand winner and an impressive low volley for a 7-4 tiebreak win.
Tomic had never won a match at Brisbane before this year, and as the only Australian left in the draw he’s finally getting used to calling it his tournament.
“Three years in a row it turned out not to be and now it’s changed, so I’m happy with the way I’m playing now. I’m fitter, I’m stronger than I was the years before, so I think that’s paid off and I’m serving much better than a year ago and that’s where I’m getting a lot of my free points,” he said.
Showing his tennis IQ—which Murray rated in his press conference today—Tomic said he will have to take his chances against the dangerous Murray defence.
“You can’t beat Andy Murray playing his game—that’s what all the players know and struggle with. He’s got the best defence out there, so you’ve got to take an opportunity when it’s there and hope for the best,” he said.
But he’s feeling primed for the chance to take on the top seed—the only top four player he’s yet to play—fancying his chances in a best-of-three sets match.
“To play Andy tomorrow is a different thing, so I’m happy, I’m ready, and I know I can take sets off these guys, especially in a best-of-three sets like this.”
“I think he’s had a great career and he’s a great player and a great person off court, so I think tomorrow will be just a test for me to see where I am.”
Tomic will take on Murray—who disposed of Marcos Baghdatis in straight sets today, 6-2 6-2—in the third match of Saturday’s day session.
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