(Q) Ernests Gulbis vs. (2) Tommy Haas
Gulbis and Haas will be going head-to-head for the third time in their careers when they do battle in the semifinals of the Delray Beach International Tennis Championships on Saturday. They split their two previous meetings; Haas prevailed 6-2, 5-7, 7-5 four years ago in Madrid before Gulbis stormed back from two sets and a break down in the third to stun Haas 3-6, 4-6, 6-4, 7-5, 6-3 in the first round of last summer’s U.S. Open.
Gulbis survived another wild one on Thursday, recovering from a 4-0 deficit in the third set to upset Sam Querrey 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(4). The 109th-ranked Latvian, who had to qualify just to get into the main draw, preceded that victory with a 6-1, 6-4 win over James Blake and he beat Daniel Munoz-De La Nava by the same score on Friday. Gulbis, who also played well in Rotterdam and Marseille, is 6-1 at the ATP level this season. Haas is bouncing back nicely that forced him out of last week’s event in Memphis before his second-round match. The 34-year-old German has defeated Igor Sijsling (via retirement), Denis Istomin, and Ivan Dodig so far in Delray Beach. He is 8-3 for his 2013 campaign, which includes a runner-up finish last month in San Jose.
Although Haas is a considerable favorite on paper at No. 19 in the world, this one looks like a toss-up based on current form. The No. 2 seed will have to serve better than he did against Dodig (57 percent, five double-faults) while Gulbis cannot afford any mental lapses like those that were on display against Querrey. Look for Haas to win another momentum-shifter thanks to superior consistency.
Pick: Haas in 3
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(1) John Isner vs. Edouard Roger-Vasselin
John Isner and Edouard Roger-Vasselin will be squaring off for the first time in their careers when they meet in the semifinals of the Delray Beach International Tennis Championships on Saturday night. Isner is finally rounding into form after a poor end to last season and a disastrous start to his 2013 campaign. After a knee injury forced him out of the Australian Open, the 15th-ranked American went 1-1 against Brazil in Davis Cup, got crushed in the San Jose semis by Tommy Haas, and lost his Memphis opener to Denis Istomin. So far this week, however, Isner has defeated Jesse Levine, Go Soeda, and Kevin Anderson.
Roger-Vasselin benefited from a section of the draw that included the withdrawal of seventh-seeded Feliciano Lopez and a retirement by No. 3 seed Kei Nishikori. The 105th-ranked Frenchman capitalized on his opportunity by taking out Flavio Cipolla, Ivo Karlovic, and Ricardas Berankis all in straight sets. Roger-Vasselin is now 5-4 at the ATP level this year.
Isner is very much a streaky player; when he’s cold he can lose to anyone but when he’s hot he is one of the most dangerous players on tour. Although the top seed is not in peak form, he clearly has some confidence back. That is bad news for Roger-Vasselin, who has never once been to an ATP semifinal. All signs point to a relatively routine win for the favorite.
Pick: Isner in 2
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