Nick Kyrgios will try to keep his Marseille run going when he takes the court on Saturday against Tomas Berdych. Semifinal action is also featuring Marin Cilic and Benoit Paire.
Nick Kyrgios vs. (2) Tomas Berdych
Berdych and Kyrgios will be going head-to-head for the second time in their careers and for the second time this year when they battle for place in the Open 13 title match on Saturday. They just faced each other in the third round of the Australian Open, where Berdych prevailed 6-3, 6-4, 1-6, 6-4. It was one of those days where Kyrgios was just about out of it mentally, but the 20-year-old Aussie appears to be back in business with much less pressure–and less expectations–in Marseille. But a lot will be expected of Kyrgios this weekend thanks to his current run, which features straight-set beatdowns of Vasek Pospisil, Teymuraz Gabashvili, and Richard Gasquet. The world No. 41 was especially impressive against Gasquet, whom he fired 17 aces past without double-faulting in a match that lasted 59 minutes.
Since earning a first-round bye as the No. 2 seed, Berdych has taken out Alexander Zverev and David Goffin. The eighth-ranked Czech survived a red-hot Zverev 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 before scoring a more comfortable 6-3, 6-4 win over Goffin. For the most part Berdych has been mediocre this season. He benefited from a favorable draw to reach the Doha semis, needed five sets to get past Roberto Bautista Agut in the last 16 in Melbourne, and got crushed by Roger Federer in the quarters. It will not help that he has to face a confident Kyrgios on Saturday. And a confident Kyrgios is a scary Kyrgios.
Pick: Kyrgios in 3
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(8) Benoit Paire vs. (4) Marin Cilic
Cilic and Paire will be squaring off for just the second time in their careers on Saturday. Their only previous meeting came three years ago in Chennai, where Paire pulled off a 6-4, 1-6, 7-5 upset. This has been nothing short of a bizarre season so far for Paire, although there may be no such thing given that bizarre is pretty much the norm when it comes to the Frenchman. He played well to make a return trip to the Chennai semis, suffered awful losses right away in Melbourne (to Noah Rubin), Montpellier (to Paul-Henri Mathieu), and Rotterdam (to Ivan Dodig), and is suddenly back in another semifinal following a 6-4, 1-6, 7-5 defeat of Wawrinka. Paire preceded that huge victory by beating Simone Bolelli in straight sets and Vincent Millot in three.
Perhaps in even greater need of a successful week, Cilic has advanced with victories at the expense of Robin Haase (4-6, 6-3, 7-5) and Andrey Kuznetsov (6-3, 6-4). The 12th-ranked had been a disappointing 5-4 for his 2016 campaign heading into this week and most recently fell to Philipp Kohlschreiber in the Rotterdam quarters. Against Kuznetsov, however, Cilic cracked 10 aces without double-faulting and did not face a single break point. It goes without saying that the 2014 U.S. Open champion is far more likely than Paire to turn in a two consecutive outstanding performances.
Pick: Cilic in 2
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who ya got?
who ya got??
Cilic in straights and Kyrgios in three. Cilic was super solid and impressive against Kuznetsov and is more consistent than Paire, who is coming off a long physically and mentally draining match with Stan. Also he will probably disappoint after such a big win. As for the Kyrgios-Berdych match, I’m thinking a confident Kyrgios wins. I don’t know if he’ll play as well as he did against Gasquet so I’ll give Tomas a set but Nick is serving so well as it is so even if he isn’t playing as lights out as last match he should beat a Berdych who has had a much tougher time getting here, including a 7-5 in the third win over Zverev. If Kyrgios plays a lot worse though, Berdych can win. I’m thinking Nick plays well enough to get the job done though. It could be in straights but I’ll give Berdych a set. Can’t wait for these matchups, especially Kyrgios VS Berdych.
Your thinking about Paire-Cilic makes sense. But I missed the Cilic – Kuznetsov match. If Marin is back to 2014 winning level Paire doesn’t have much chance. Watching Paire v HafaWawa match, Paire captured the crowd by the last set and I liked how Paire held at 6-5 in the decider – then, closed out breaking Stan on the first of his 3 match point chances. Yes, agree it was probably a mentally draining match – but physically, not too much for him. The mental part I suspect is always hard for BP – he seems like an over-thinker. Will be fun to see how it plays out!
I think even a red hot kyrgios Will not beat the berdman on an indoor hard court. Should be a cracker later this afternoon though.
Cilic over Paire… didn’t see his match against Wawrinka though
Paire belieber. in 3
Kyrgios Syrgious fan-girl. in 3
Cilic in 2!
Kyrgios if not distracted by his box not cheering for him in 2 ? I hope the atomic Nick shows up! It will be a pleasure to watch!
Your comments on this match will be much appreciated by me and others shut out from watching the action!
I’ll try my best, ed.
Paire is there looking elegant as ever. Cilic and Paire make quite a paire. Right away Paire is broken by Cilic. Crowd is chanting for Benoit, Benoit…
…they were trying to keep him focused I think! He was very annoyed at his racquet.
Let’s see if Marin is in 2014 form. No, I don’t think he is. 2014 Marin wouldn’t be as tentative serving. But it doesn’t matter right now because Benoit can’t find a return on very returnable 2nd serves. Marin holds. 2-0. Not a good start for Benoit.
Benoit serving to get a game on the board. Not going well. Marin doesn’t have to do anything. Benoit can’t find a 1st serve or rally anywhere but into the net or hit the ball long and out. Pfft, Benoit. Have to hope he settles the jitters down before it’s too late.
Serving is pretty bad from both, have to say. Marin trying to make it 4-0. He finds and ace; then can’t find a serve DF. Paire makes it 1-3 on Marin’s bad serving. Can Paire hold serve?
BP can’t serve. BP saves 2 or 3 break points. Has a chance to hold but…not going well. Another bp saved by BP. Gosh. Another bp – can Marin get it? no. Luvky call for BP. This is a turning point for Paire maybe – if he can hold. He does! Paire is still down a break but signs of life from BP.
Marin to serve at 3-2
Marin is on a roll now. He sees BP starting to calm down and wants to assert himself. Serves well. 4-2
Marin to win in straights as expected. Letdown from Paire and focused performance from Cilic.
Yes, nailed it. so far, anyway Benny!
I dunno now. Paire is competing pretty well. Cilic could falter at the end of this set here. I think he’s gonna get it in a tiebreak but I dunno.
Both of these giants are lean and can run well. Marin is eager, it’s written on his face. Paire still doing his best to appear nonchalant. He’s actually anything but that. Can’t find the court. It’s 5-2 Marin Cilic. Well? Match will be over quick at this rate. Nothing spectacular from Marin. Just solid.
Serving for set.
Easy peasy 1st set for Marin. Paire looks lost in space.
Set 1. http://www.flashscore.com/match/CAbxMJip/#point-by-point;1
Sad story for Benoit Paire
Thanks Ratty: Thought it was too much to hope he could keep up the level of play long enough to bother Marin
It usually all or nothing with BP -(
No problem, eddy.
Still hoping this match gets good.
It does seem all or nothing for Benoit. The other challenge I think is he’s sensitive and has trouble with certain stages. Have not figured out which stages are best for him. Maybe not home crowds?
Marseille crowd quite savvy, I’d say. They only start getting into it when Benoit shows them signs of earning their support. Respectful of Marin. Unfortunately Benoit has not given them much to cheer.
Benoit holds serve it’s 2-1 Paire and the crowd loves it 🙂 Allez Benoit!
2-2 Benoit serving…
Marin is looking better than he did in the last 2 tournaments. Benoit has helped him this match, though.
Benoit still not serving confidently but holding is progress 3-2 Benoit. On serve.
At least he’s making a match it.
Benoit 4-3. Can he keep holding? Can he break Marin?
Commentators inform that Marin’s only lost 2 points on serve, so far. Ah but Benoit makes it 3 points at 30-30.
That was it. No mas. Marin holds 4-4.
Gosh, double faulto. Kinda stiff still, is BP. Nervous serving but holds. 5-4. On serve. Time to break is now Benoit, if you possibly can.
Tennis Channel has switched to broadcast Strycova and Errani Dubai final, ed.
Why did they switch to Dubai? I wanna see Paire v Cilic. C’mon TC!!
That’s what they do — if there’s not an American in the match. Wta 470 final over Marseille 250 ATP. You have to order tennis channel plus. Cough, cough (Not me!) I already pay enough.
What a bummer for you.
Pity. Paire had his chances but couldn’t get across the line.
6-5 Benoit holds. Strong hold that one. Come on, allez, time to break. Get a set dear Benoit!
Paire gets another bite at the cherry lol
Cilic too tough. Also moving better than Benoit, more relaxed and confident.
Strong hold from Marin. Tie break time.
Well he’s not a GS winner for nothing.
Brilliance! 3-1 Paire. Dropshot and volley success.
Pfft. Follows up brill with a DF.
But thank you, Marin – a big miss. 4-2 Benoit.
Paire – Facepalm smash into the net.
But recovers to make it 5-3! Drums and trumpet
Set point… for Benoit.
Cilic serving
Paire gets the 2nd set !! Woohoo
I wonder who was the most surprised lol!!!!!
Set Paire.
Bet that’s got the crowd going hee,hee
It was drums and a trumpet for real last time I saw it 😀
Sara Errani serving a Bagel set? wow. Too much tennis this week for Barbora Strycova. She beat Ivanovic, Goerges, Garcia in 3 sets. But have no pictures of what’s happening to Paire. I guess it’s a major coup just to get a set lol!
Cilic 2-1. On serve. What is “game” in French? sounds like jour.
‘Jeu’ which can sound like ‘jour’ if you’re not paying attention 🙂
Thanks! 🙂 my high school French is rusty.
Cilic has the benefit of serving first in the decider. No margin for errors from Paire.
Took a peek at the women’s final. Errani in control so far. But heard the deadly voice of you know who so back to Cilic and Paire…………………………
2-2. Paire holding well atm. But is he good from behind? he’s serving from behind this set.
You can never tell with him. That’s why following any of his matches is such a roller coaster. But if he plays freely he can destabilise his opponent.
From the way the points are going don’t think he’s going to pull off the upset.
But he got a set. That’s more than fans here were giving him, I think. Poor BP, leaving skin on the court.
22 aces for Cilic so far this match, apparently. 5-2. Time for moi to make coffee.
Yes, that’s why I watch Paire – for the times he plays freely. He’s can be brilliant. Also can give me a headache. Double Fault gives Marin another bp. But Cilic hits it wide. thanks, Marin. Advantage Marin, 2nd bp this game. Saved by Paire. Lost my broadcast.
Marin did get the break 4-2. It’s likely over, now I suppose.
TC switching back and forth between matches… bp for Paire but couldn’t convert. Cilic too good.
dropshot fail, Paire. and an ace from Cilic makes it 3-2
He’s been saving BPs throughout past two sets. It had to end at some point. Pity. Cilic will romp away now he has grabbed the momentum back.
Cilic serving for the match.
That was a far better match than the WTA which has just delivered a travesty for a final.
Admire Errani though for her courage and stamina.
She would’ve won the doubles too if CSN hadn’t been so awful.
Marin wins. When he’s serving well he’s tough to beat. Hope he can produce some good tennis in the final as well.
Marin is hard to beat when he’s serving well,it’s true. In 2014, winning US Open, he was doing everything well. He has a ways to go. I don’t think he’d beat an in-form Nole with what I watched today. Halfa Paire wouldn’t have won a set!
Double-header. Hope my advil kicks in. Kyrgios – Berdych match.
I really wanted to watch Berdy-Kyrgios, but I have to go out. I will just record it.
Good win for Cilic who hasn’t quite been able to find the form he had when he won the USO.
Don’t go out! 😉
rc,
I am following it on my phone!
😀 French fans firing up the band for Nicky, Nicky…
jeu, Kyrgios. haha the trumpet solo and allez. Nick’s gotta love that. Nick has a bp. He breaks! 3-2
Nick wins the first. VAMOS!!
Wow! Krygios is doing it!
He did it for a set! He has a bp now. He got it. Let’s see if he can hold serve. 3-2.
Nick will have to bring it like yesterday to get another set. Mr. Consistent top ten isn’t going down easy to the Kid. That’s probably another reason I don’t cheer for Tomas. He’s a fixture in the top ten and WTF each year but he’s not likely to trouble those above him, win a GS, or Masters 1000. The only Masters he won was in 2005.
It doesn’t surprise me the French crowd are getting behind Birdy. I actually like him although he can be a bit of a pratt at times. He has never really managed to win the crowds over and I gather isn’t wildly popular in the locker room eithee.
correction. That should read ‘crowd are NOT getting behind Birdy.
why not?
hehehe, delighted Nick held! 4-2 Nicky
Beatdown!!!
How’s he playing?
Not as lights out as yesterday. He’ll need to up it. Marin’s getting confident.
Can’t seem him losing to Cilic if he does that to Berdych. Plus Cilic lost a set to Paire, which is……not good.
And another break.
5-2 Nick serving for Match.
That 2nd point was dumb – hit it right to Berd.
Good at 30-15
40-15 ace
2 mp’s
2nd serve. Got it. GSM . Go Nicky! Win the title!
Awesome stuff from Kyrgios. Looks like he’s producing the results he should. ALLEZ Nick!! Can’t wait to watch the recording of this when I get home. Torn between who I’m rooting for tomorrow. I think Kyrgios is gonna win though. Unless he has a letdown which doesn’t seem likely at this point.
I just watched my recording of the match. Kyrgios was very sharp! Berdy didn’t have the answers.
Kyrgios may be hard to stop.
Congrats to me for predicting Kyrgios in 2! I guess I was the only one ?
Anyway, Nick played great! The crowd must get behind him! He is such an unusual player and the way he hits those winners is beyond real! Such a pleasure to watch! Hope he wins the title! He should!
Go Nick!!!