BERDYCH AND YOUZHNY CLASH FOR A SPOT IN THE FRENCH OPEN SEMIS

The top half of the men’s singles quarterfinal line up has yielded in the case of one of the two matches on the cards, a somewhat surprising billing between Tomas Berdych and Mikhail Youzhny. Not that both had been on poor form ahead of the French Open only to experience a rare inspired Parisian adventure. It isn’t the out-of-the-blue sort of surprising but more of the I-didn’t-see-it-coming kind.
Perhaps pundits should have seen it coming. After all both were in fine fettle ahead of the French Open and on relatively encouraging seasons, highlighted by standout performances.
Berdych’s best moment on the season was a runner-up finish in Miami, beating Roger Federer along the way; Youzhny managed two runners-up before finally breaking duck on his third try, in Munich beating Marin Cilic for the title.
In spite of their obvious good form they didn’t feature front-and-centre in the discussion about potential viable challengers for the French Open title.
That has all changed now. Well, at least for one player it will change as the winner of this match will move into the semis, to be poised, a match-win away from the final. That is some heady stuff.
Berdych is now considered the dark horse of the tournament that snuck up on the field and might very well descend on the final against all odds.
Bookies are favouring him for the win over Youzhny. William Hill lists Berdych as the 1/2 favourite. Youzhny is the 6/4 puppy.
You might find it interesting to know the market is in direct contrast to the complete head-to-head series between them, which Youzhny is leading 6-4 lifetime.
Further confounding the market is their mark on 2009 where they split four meetings 2-2 and their lifetime mark on clay, which is 1-1.
Oh lest I forget, Youzhny also just edges Berdych in ranking by three spots. Youzhny  is ranked at No.14 while his Czech opposite is ranked at No.17.
So, why the market is cast so? Perhaps Berdych’s favouritism is underscored by wins over Isner and Murray in the previous two rounds. Youzhny by contrast has had an easier path to the quarters and in the last 16 received a free pass when Tsonga threw in the towel after losing the first set 6-2.  
That Berdych has had to earn his place in the quarters doesn’t mean he is the right bet to advance. Youzhny can’t help the draw he was dealt but is seemingly evaluated by it.
Youzhny clearly has the slight edge over Berdych on paper and that could be the definitive score. It is not the story most are scripting though. The popular refrain has Berdych, long held second only to Federer in organic, raw talent, finally coming of age on the big stage. Might he well.