Dream run over

Sunday 17 June 2012

DAVID Nalbandian ended Grigor Dimitrov's fairytale run at Queen's, beating the 21-year-old Bulgarian 6-4, 6-4 in the AEGON Championships semi-finals.

David Nalbandian on his way to victory over Grigor Dimitrov at Queen's Photograph: Getty

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The Argentine No 10 seed faces Marin Cilic in today's final after the Croat saw off 2012 champion Sam Querrey 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.

Dimitrov, 21, had captured the hearts of the public after the exit of top seeds Andy Murray and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, but he was not good enough to beat the 2002 Wimbledon finalist in incredibly blustery conditions that made for a poor-quality match.

Dimitrov had showed why he has been branded "Baby Fed" when beating Gilles Muller and Kevin Anderson in the previous two rounds, but in Nalbandian he came up against an experienced campaigner whose play was far too effective for him to break down.Nalbandian, who has won four of his five previous meetings with sixth seed Cilic, although none of them were played on grass, said: "It was a tricky match but I'm happy to win and feel good."The wind made it very tough and I don't think it was a good match. We both made a lot of mistakes. This week hasn't been easy: a lot of rain, delayed matches. You have to be fit to play at this level, I'm here fighting all the time." Despite being nine years his opponent's senior and despite having played two three-set games yesterday, the former world No 3 showed impressive agility and power against the unseeded Dimitrov.Both players struggled to deal with the windy conditions during a scrappy opening set. Dimitrov looked nervous as he lost his first service game, but broke back immediately to level.He saved three break points in the third game but Nalbandian broke the Bulgarian in his next service game when the younger man put a backhand in the net.Nalbandian made his frustration at the conditions clear by groaning when Dimitrov broke him again with a punishing backhand to put the set back on serve, but the Argentinian broke back yet again in the next game when Dimitrov went long.Dimitrov could not break his opponent again to level and Nalbandian took the set when Dimitrov sent his cross-court forehand long.Nalbandian took control of the second set by breaking his opponent in the third game when Dimitrov found the net cord. Dimitrov cursed loudly after wasting a good opportunity in the following game as Nalbandian moved 3-1 ahead.It was Nalbandian who was left cursing in the next game, however. The 30-year-old smashed his racquet into a court-side microphone after being broken by a delicate drop shot from Dimitrov that put the set back on serve.Dimitrov soon lost his way, though, dropping serve in the ninth game after Nalbandian buried a smart volley at the net following a thrilling rally.As he served for the match, Nalbandian's experience shone through, moving 40-15 ahead before taking the match when Dimitrov ploughed a backhand into the net.In the other match, Cilic survived nine break points to take the first set, but Querrey broke his 6ft 6in opponent twice in the second, in what was also a disappointing encounter.The duo exchanged breaks in the final set but Cilic's power proved too much for the world No 77 in the end and another break sent the Croatian into his first Queen's final."It was really windy, especially when you toss the ball as high as Sam and I do," Cilic said. "I found it tough to control my serve but you just try to do the best you can and take the opportunities you have. It would mean a lot to win the title, especially before Wimbledon. I've played here a lot and it feels really good to make the final." In Germany, Roger Federer is going for a sixth Halle Open title today after setting up a final showdown with fellow thirty-something Tommy Haas. The 16-times Grand Slam winner raced into his seventh Halle final with a 6-1, 6-4 win over Mikhail Youzhny. Federer wasted little time converting four of his eight break points to maintain a perfect record of 13 wins in 13 matches against the Russian.The Swiss No 2 seed said: "Mikhail started a bit slow but I think I took advantage of it and after that I was able to get on a roll. I'm obviously excited to be a finalist here again."Wildcard Haas beat Rafa Nadal's conqueror Philipp Kohlschreiber 7-6, 7-5 in the other semi-final. Federer said: "It's always tricky playing Germans here in the final, but I'm looking forward to that match."Meanwhile, Andy Murray will play at The Boodles tournament this week as part of his Wimbledon preparations, after his early exit from Queen's. The world No 4 will feature in matches on Wednesday and Thursday at the Buckinghamshire exhibition event.Novak Djokovic has also been confirmed for a return to the tournament at Stoke Park. He played there last year before going on win Wimbledon. Others taking part include Juan Martin Del Potro, Janko Tipsarevic, John Isner, Cilic and Stanislas Wawrinka.

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