ATP Madrid Semi-Final Predictions: Nadal-Andujar, Wawrinka-Berdych

1. Rafael Nadal v Pablo Andujar 

Tomas Berdych

This ATP draw is Madrid has been a real brain twister; Djokovic out in round two, Federer out in round three and now Pablo Andujar, who has won just five main draw matches on the ATP tour in 2013, has reached the semi-finals of a Premier Mandatory tournament.  Andujar beat Kei Nishikori, 6-4 7-5 to back up his wins over Marin Cilic (in round one) and John Isner (in round two).  In the semi-finals, he will meet Rafael Nadal who was two points from defeat to David Ferrer, but as to be expected, found a way to win as he then cruised through the decider with a 4-6 7-6(3) 6-0 victory.  Andujar struggled to close out Nishikori today and there is no way he will have the game or bottle to beat Nadal tomorrow...

Prediction - Nadal to beat Andujar in 2 sets

2. Stanislas Wawrinka v Tomas Berdych
The second semi-final features Stanislas Wawrinka and Tomas Berdych, which should be a very closely contested match.  Wawrinka is now on a eight match winning streak having won in Estoril before Madrid.  He took out a tiring Grigor Dimitrov in round three and yesterday/today, defeated Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in three sets having missed match points in the second set tiebreak, one saved rather majestically by Tsonga.  Berdych had been on a sticky patch of form, but he seems to be back to form and he had a no-nonsense win over Andy Murray last night, prevailing in a tight two setter 7-6(3) 6-4.  Wawrinka and Berdych are tied at 5-5 in the head-to-head; I really like Wawrinka's form right now, but he has played two three setters, both at night and I think all these matches will catch up with him.  Advantage Berdych...

Prediction - Berdych to beat Wawrinka in 3 sets