As is often the case, the Montpellier semifinals will have a distinct French flavor on Saturday. The only outsider is Alexander Zverev, who has to go up against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. Richard Gasquet and Benoit Paire are also aiming for a spot in the title match.
Benoit Paire vs. (3) Richard Gasquet
It will be a rematch of a past Open Sud de France final when Gasquet and Paire meet again on Saturday, this time in semifinal action. Gasquet lifted the trophy in 2013 thanks to 6-2, 6-3 victory in their first-ever meeting. He now leads the head-to-head series 3-0 following wins at the 2013 Monte-Carlo Masters (6-1, 3-6, 6-1) and last season’s Miami Open (6-3, 6-0).
Paire, however, is one of just two players who has not yet surrendered a set this week in Montpellier (Tsonga is the other). Of course, the 43rd-ranked Frenchman basically got a free pass on Friday when quarterfinal opponent Dustin Brown retired after one game because of a back injury. Paire preceded that result with straight-set defeats of Karen Khachanov and Feliciano Lopez, generating 21 break points in the process. Gasquet kicked off his campaign by beating Malek Jaziri 7-5, 6-2 before winning a high-quality three-setter over countryman Kenny De Schepper in the quarters. With a 19-3 lifetime record and three titles at this tournament, Gasquet is a safe pick just about every time he takes the court in Montpellier.
Pick: Gasquet in 2
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(4) Alexander Zverev vs. (2) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
Tsonga and Zverev will be going head-to-head for the second time in their careers and for the second time in just about four months. Their only previous encounter came last fall at the Shanghai Masters and it did not disappoint. Tsonga managed to book a semifinal spot via a 6-7(4), 6-2, 7-5 decision after two hours and 27 minutes.
This one should be similarly entertaining, as both players are off to solid starts in 2017. Zverev struggled last week in Davis Cup (a disconcerting trend for him in his young career) but reached the fourth round of the Australian Open and pushed eventual runner-up Rafael Nadal in a five-set thriller. The 21st-ranked German is through to the Montpellier semis thanks to three-set wins over Aljaz Bedene and Jeremy Chardy. Tsonga has been in ruthless form this week. The second-seeded Frenchman rolled over Pierre-Hugues Herbert and an in-form Daniil Medvedev while winning 46 of 48 first-serve points to advance to championship weekend. A confident and well-rested Tsonga will likely treat the fans to another scintillating performance.
Pick: Tsonga in 2
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who ya got?
Tsonga in two and Paire in three
Tsonga in three Gasquet in two
Well, that’s what I picked – Tsonga in three – And was reasonably sure about it.
But Jo went off in the wrong way for too much of the time in the 2nd set and then Sascha in the third set was the more attacking. Both were hitting errors but Sascha was able to hit deep more consistently, refused to get pushed back, came in more for the successful volley…what a wow win for Sascha. He’s an impressive competitor. Zvev junior was mentally clutch after losing the first set; along with his forehand, backhand, return game… and he broke Tsonga’s serve in the third set when Tsonga was serving to stay in the match. Won it 6-4. Sneaky good. Thought Tsonga would at least make the third set a TB.
Looking forward to the Gasquet vs Zverev Final.
Easy peasy win for Dimitrov over Basilashvili. Goffin would need to come out faster and serve much better than he did vs RBA to beat Dimitrov. I can’t see Goffin winning but…I’ll be cheering for him 😀