Semi-Finals Part 2 Queen's

Welcome to viewers on BBC Two to the semi-finals here at the Queen's

Club. If you were not with us on BBC One, the first was won by Grigor

Dimitrov. It has been very entertaining, and Radek Stepanek

against Feliciano Lopez. We erejoin the match with Radek Stepanek

serving at 5-6. An ace on the first point of the

game. It's been a fairly classic

old-fashioned encounter between the two. Of the two, Feliciano Lopez

with the bigger serving. He has had the better of the chances. Five

break points in a set but not capitalised. Stepanek had just the

one. He could not take his. We could be heading for a breaker.

Suddenly it got very blustery there. The wind really came up.

Well, how quickly the game can change.

Indeed. Leander Paes there. change.

Indeed. Leander Paes He plays with Radek Stepanek. Former Australian

doubles champions. Great mates. It's not a good miss from Lopez. He

got stuck there. Didn't move his feet. It was not that great a second

serve. He didn't move to the ball. He will be disappointed with that

result. That was a huge point. What a volley. What a volley.

It is wide here. He knows he has to nudge the ball. Otherwise he will be

in big trouble on the next forehand. It takes off the court. It is a

tremendous volley. Not many players could have hit it with that pace and

accuracy. Another good opportunity there.

That one he tried to come over. You wonder why he doesn't settle for the

chip-back and get involved in the round.

That was a key exchange. Stepanek wins both of his service points

despite missing his first serve. When you are seeing errors on the

Lopez slice... It is tight. So Stepanek is all animated, looking

for the return. Going from one foot to another.

Both players are playing a nervy tie-breaker at the moment. They have

played ten times these two but never on grass. It is 8-2 to Stepanek.

He does this shot well. It is difficult for Stepanek to do more

than what he tried there, just trying to poke it down the line.

No nerves in that shot! A full-blooded swing on this forehand.

But the decision was made up for him by the fact that Stepanek got a

serve in. The second time when you have time

to think. That was instinct. He is a cat around the court, isn't he? He

almost could have jumped off a plinth on Trafalgar square.

almost could have jumped off a quite something to see.

That first service vanished a bit for a while but that was beautiful.

His best serve of the match. Certainly the shortest he has hit it

on the forehand side. A lovely serve.

This will irritate Stepanek. It didn't have much on it at the back.

He gave the Spaniard a chance to take it early.

You're #kiding me! How is he still standing? !

That was nice. Even the opposition's coach is applauding the point. That

was the point of the week, no doubt. Now, Lopez, here, forget all of

that, he just blew it. Absolutely, I don't know how he manage managed to

lose the point. . I think he was grunting too loud.

Getting ahead of steam. He has to calm it all down now.

The third set point. Can you believe it! That was the

fatigue from the last point. He should have made that volley. It was

a very good return. This was Lopez's set. He still may win it but after

that point he had so many opportunities to put that ball away.

I don't know, have we just seen it is 8-2 to Stepanek in the

head-to-head. Could be. He needed that walk to regain his

composure and stamina. I think he was exhausted after that point.

They both look like they are looking forward to the end of the set and

sit down! Lopez just screaming over at his

camp there. He is so disappointed with that

point. I mean he absolutely had it won, five times.

That's why Lopez has another set point.

Good heavens. Between first and second serves, is

he trying to put himself off? Oh, that's fantastic! Ole! Am I not

magnificent? Yes, you are! Marvellous. What a set that was.

What a tiebreaker. That really was quite something.

What a delight. And the crowd thoroughly enjoying

that opening set of this second semi-final. If that has you inspired

well why not take up the game. I will give you details in a moment.

But let's find out who it was that inspired some of the players here.

My dad was always there to support me in the tough and the good times.

My father was my coach when I started playing tennis.

Definitely, my parents. Obviously my parents. I came from a sporting

background. I it think it was just my father, he gave me the passion.

There is a theme here, isn't there? Why not look to mum and dad and head

down to the local park. If you are able to show us how you are enjoying

tennis, Get in touch using the hashtag.

Roger Federer is through to the final yet again, chasing a seventh

title. Defeating Nishikori. And Falla coming back to win against

Kohlschreiber. What interesting news. The final to

set up with Federer. They played at Wimbledon in 2010.

Falla had a two-set lead before being crushed in the fifth set. My

memory does not serve me well on this but did he have two match

points? He had two sets to love lead. A brilliant match.

That is the final of Falla. Dimitrov awaits the winner of this

semi-final. We are bringing that to you at 2.00pm tomorrow afternoon.

That's a better rhythm. It is one part of Stepanek's game he could be

disappointed with. The serve, the first serve at 48%.

He would like that to be a lot higher.

We have to have a look at this point. It was an outrage. They ran

150m between them. Set points to Lopez. He seemed in complete

control. Giving a good grunt. Gets Stepanek stretching to the corner.

This one had to go away, about no, Stepanek is on balance.

That forehand down the line excellent as well. Here he comes. Up

at the net. Over the hip, then this is how you hit an overhead...

Unbelievable. How many squash shots did he hit in that rally? And he

slides so well on the grass. Watch him look at the line after he

place this one. He has a quick look to decide if he should challenge.

It's been a lovely week for tennis so far. The weather's been just

about perfect. We only lost an hour on Monday evening to some drops of

rain. Cooler today. Stepanek lost the first set to Kevin

Anderson in the previous round and came back very strongly. The

difference here is that he has given an hour's worth of effort in that

losing first set. This is a 56-draw tournament. The

top eight seeds get to buy in the second round. Neither of these

players were one of the top eight seeds. They missed out, so they have

played all the way from the beginning. And playing doubles as

well, Stepanek. So you look for signs of fatigue in a 35-year-old

man at this point. It is the mental as well as the

physical fight. The emotion of the week.

He's also a player that doesn't get a tremendous amount of free points

on his serve and other parts of his game. He is a manoeuvrer. Slicing

and dicing and moving you around the court. But it is a tiring way to

play. Well that's an important hole. He

does well to maintain the composure and hang on to his serve.

It was a big disappointment to him a at the end of the first.

Stepanek is such an old campaigner. Such a Wiley player. He beat

Nicholas Almagro of Spain in the Davis Cup. They laid a court in the

Czech Republic, the fastest surface you can imagine, just for that

occasion. Then last year, again in a fifth match over Serbia, he beat

Dussain. So he is not going anywhere here. I think that Lopez would have

been ten places higher in the rankings if he had played the big

points a little better over his career.

I agree. No reason why not. He has a great game to watch and so many

weapons in his game. He has had a successful career but with that

extra little, maybe the work ethic? I don't know if that was the

strongest it needed to be at the top level? And he doesn't have the top

spin backhand. The slice is a great strength.

And the Spanish do a great job of keeping former pros and those

involved in the community in the game. We should learn from that.

A great angle to see what you face. In terms of natural disguise, Lopez

has plenty of it with his fast motion, be the greatest I saw in

terms of disguise was Ivanisovich. He plucked that out of the air, he

is working with Pace. The former world number one and a doubles

player with Jim Puig. They were magnificent.

If he had missed that catch, he would have got a lot of stick in the

locker room. Once he went up for it you have to snag then. Caught on TV.

There he is, rick Leech in the blue. He won the world over 40s or 45s in

Palm Beach. A God catch Rick. If you missed it we would have given you

almighty trouble at the end of the match. Well done!

His dad was one of the great coaches. What was that? UCLA, I

think. He has two good opportunities, this

game, to play two poor error, that last one, the forehand, Stepanek

trying to keep his feet moving here, I think he is a bit fatigued.

He is trying to really pun himself through this.

No Blakes at all this in match so far, first set of this semifinal on

a tie-breaker one. Talking about that senior tennis in your neck of

the woods in Florida recently Michael Purnfor won the singles and

doubles Championships, the over 50s. Congratulations. There is nothing

commercial in them, but it's the life blood of the game still, age

group tennis, nay have an over 85s. Mike scoring one for the ex-pros

there, didn't lose more than two games in a set the entire way

through, he will be playing at hurling ham next week They play well

the over 80s, I wasn't going to take him on. What the? The over 80s. I

didn't like the look of those. Drop shot lobbing, no thank you!

That is a very good approach again. That approach is so good from Lopez.

It is so difficult. He used that shot well to get himself out of many

difficult positions in this match. He didn't have much to aim at, step.

He had to thread the needle. He certainly did. Perfect.

Soap. -- Stepanek. The way to stay low on

the ball on the grass, you have do that, use the legs.

Low on the ball on the grass, you have do that,

We have one more match for Stepanek, they both played the doubles as well

as the single. Lopez played with Melzer. Lost in

the second round of the doubles. Pace and Stepanek went round

further, lost to the French Open champions.

He expected that ball to come at him more. He did well to recover. The

quick movement well anticipated by Stepanek. But he couldn't do enough

about it, it was too good a shot. He knew where it was going.

This is very FBI performance from Lopez -- very fine performance from

Lopez. He is stretching a very tired opponent over this court. I am

surprised with Stepanek, he looks tired. I am surprised he is not

coming in more, another two occasion in that rally where he could have

chipped, just past the service box and elected to hit and go back to

the baseline. It is unusual. He caught it!

And it is a real bonus to him when he comes over a backhand, and makes

an effective shot. That is effective.

Two break points. And he has picked it up again. Yes!

He did try and come in at least on that rally, but unfortunately Lopez

hit his best two that rally, but unfortunately Lopez

match, coming over the ball. This is probably his weakest shot, he has

hit a tremendous one, hit the one previous on the line, as well. The

way he stayed low on that ball. The racquet acceleration too. Fantastic

passing shots in that game. Having said Stepanek should come in more,

and I said well Lopez's backhand can be a weakness We did well there! It

St the truth. He would have been fired immediately as a double coach

act. We would have been. It is a sign of his confidence he is coming

over that and hitting it and it is going well. Seventh match of the

week for him. And just locking less fatigued, more excited than his

opponent. He does. He is under enormous strain now Stepanek, I

wonder how will much he has left. We will see.

Like that about Stepanek, there as an old pro there, even if he tired

you see the way he jocked out. Sending a message out to his

opponent. Still there. Might give it a cup couple of press ups, no

problems. That is too long. . Overruled there.

It was overruled, Stepanek I think... Certainly was ready to

challenge. Well long.

Just slowed up the ball, you never know what a net call is going to do.

That sat in the middle and said "Hit me, please."

Oh! What a shot. What a lob. What a ferocious forehand.

Applauded by Stepanek as well. That was magnificent. A bit of a

surprise to Stepanek. That's in. It is going to be challenged. The ball

was called in. I think there was just enough of, a sort of lovely

mishit side swipe, it was coming back in, had plenty of height on it,

the wind is coming from that direction.

I would be surprised if this was out. Look at it curl.

The wind takes it. Oh. Lopez has been ready to serve since

way before that review. Surprised again. Stepanek. Just

allowing Lopez to be thing a reso in those rally, you would have thought

Stepanek would be trying to do, reversing it, going to the Lopez

backhand as well. What a hold from love 30. And once

again Lopez showing mental strength as well as fiscal because he does

get nervous, who doesn't when the winning line is approaching.

-- physical. Maybe he can have a nibble at this

game. Stepanek serves to stay in it. That is pinpoint rabbling sip. Come

on -- accuracy. Come on, one more big effort from Radek Stepanek for

the match to continue. But he is going to have to do

something which is rare indeed. That is break serve.

Just got to try and get in and hope that Lopez gets a bit tight Agree.

If he gets a second serve, gets into a rally perhaps, take the chance and

come in. Make Lopez pass him on the backhand side, put a bit of pressure

on him. He is going to be nervous serving for the match. Put him in

positions where he is not at his best. Don't let him dictate. Of

course if gets the first serves in, it is tough to do much about it, the

way he has been serving this tournament. The serving has been

superb from Lopez, it has been a Masterclass really.

Doesn't matter how experienced you are, serving for the match, a big

semifinals too, sometimes you get tight -- a big semifinal too. It

would be strange if you didn't get up tight. An interesting game coming

up here. Oh that is a missed opportunity for

Stepanek. That there was nothing on the

volley, really. He certainly had a play. Just stabbed at that one. He

did well enough to do that but really Stepanek should have make

that -- made that. Such a good first volley there.

A touch perfect control. Look that the, how deep it is, nothing

Stepanek can do from that position. Very solid first two points.

Stepanek tried to come in, didn't do enough with the approach though. A

point to go at least one better. Match points.

Oh it's wide. Oh please. No, it's OK. Regroup.

And Lopez, the smile of a finalist. A fascinating semifinal. Great

match. The first set tie-break was

spectacular, it's the first final of 2014 for Feliciano Lopez. He got

over the winning line. He is dramatic to watch It was a joy to

watch that match. It really was. Radek Stepanek is getting a warm

hand of applause. How much did he contribute to an amazing tournament

here. The way he conducted himself on the court, and so enthusiastic,

he was brilliant. Two sets. Lopez through to play

Dimitrov in the final. The winner is talking to John.

I am sure you are happy it finished in two sets but I think everybody

here would have loved it to have been three. It was a fantastic

match. Thank you to you and Radek Stepanek for a magnificent

exhibition of grass court tennis, you have been coming here to a

decade and you have made the final at last. Yes, I think it is an

amazing feeling for me to be in the final of this wonderful tournament

at Queens. It is great. Thank you for the crowd because since Monday

they were here, supporting me, supporting all of us, so you guys

made this tournament special. APPLAUSE.

Some of the tennis in match was very special. The tie-break, there were

spectacular points, but that lob that Radek Stepanek put over your

head in the last but one game and you turned and smashed that inside

out forehand past him, where did that come from? Nowhere! I don't

know, 30 all was a important point. I didn't know what to do. I didn't

expect the lob. It was amazing, I wept for the shot and then, I made

it but I think I was a bit lucky. Well I think you make your own luck.

What about playing Grigor Dimitrov in the final, that could be a

tremendous match? He is one of the youngest guys coming, right now, he

is one of the best players in the tour and he will be tough. He beat

Stan very easy today so he will be confident. As I am, I have won a

couple of great matches this week, so I just hope to be, to be as

consistent as I was today, and I will get my chances maybe. Thank you

for an hour-and-a-half of tremendous entertainment and a finalist

tomorrow. Feliciano Lopez. Congratulations.

Applause applause. -- APPLAUSE.

We have witnessed some glorious tennis on this Centre Court at the

Queens club. First of all Grigor Dimitrov going through and Feliciano

Lopez. Tennis of the highest standard. So, that the final

tomorrow, it is Grigor Dimitrov against Feliciano Lopez, and we will

be on the air at BBC Two at 2.00. Of course a glorious final tomorrow,

a big game tonight for England against Italy, but the football is

on over on BBC One right now. It is Colombia versus Greece, that is over

on BBC One, confirmation on BBC One right now but England later on

tonight. 10.20 on BBC One, against Italy who will put them out of euro

2012 so maybe revenge tonight. So that is it for thises and this

these semifinals and this crowd have witnessed two wonderful matches and

it is Grigor Dimitrov against Feliciano Lopez so do join us for

that on BBC Two. So, that is is tomorrow, we look

forward to a glorious final tomorrow, I wonder how we will feel

the morning after the night before. Goodbye.

MUSIC: "Hotel Room" by Richard Hawley