A blockbuster showdown between David Ferrer and Gael Monfils will headline the semifinal proceedings in Vienna on Saturday. The other match is set to feature Steve Johnson and Ernests Gulbis.
(1) David Ferrer vs. (6) Gael Monfils
Ferrer and Monfils will be squaring off for the sixth time in their careers when they collide in the semifinals of the Erste Bank Open on Saturday. Monfils is leading the head-to-head series 3-2, but Ferrer has won two of their three previous hard-court encounters. The two veterans most recently faced each other on the indoor hard courts of Valencia in 2013, when the Spaniard prevailed 6-3, 6-2. Monfils’ last victory over Ferrer came via a 6-4, 2-6, 7-5, 1-6, 8-6 decision in round four of the 2011 French Open.
Ferrer is surging toward the World Tour Finals thanks to a convincing bounce-back from an elbow injury. The eighth-ranked Spaniard missed Wimbledon and almost the entire American summer before reaching the third round of the U.S. Open, capturing a title in Kuala Lumpur, and advancing to the Beijing semis. So far this week he has taken out Albert Ramos-Vinolas, Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, and Fabio Fognini. Monfils booked his spot in the last four by defeating Thomaz Bellucci, Paolo Lorenzi, and Lukas Rosol. This is the 21st-ranked Frenchman’s first tournament since the U.S. Open and he had previously not won a match since Montreal. Ferrer, who lost eight total games to Garcia-Lopez and Fognini, is too confident and focused right now for Monfils.
Pick: Ferrer in 3
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Ernests Gulbis vs. Steve Johnson
This surprising Vienna battle is an intriguing matchup between arguably the ugliest backhand in the top 50 and almost unquestionably the most inconsistent forehand in the soon-to-be top 100 (Gulbis is currently 117th but he will climb to at least the top 90). Interestingly, though, the Latvian has never been particularly competitive in the head-to-head series. Johnson pulled away for a 6-7(3), 7-6(5), 6-4, 6-4 victory at the 2012 U.S. Open before coasting 6-4, 6-4 at the 2014 Cincinnati Masters.
Gulbis’ presence in this rare all-unseeded 500-point semifinal is especially stunning. He had been a dismal 9-22 at the ATP level in 2015 prior to this week and was riding a six-match losing streak dating back to Montreal. Suddenly, though, Gulbis found his game and ousted Lucas Miedler, John Isner, and Ivo Karlovic. Johnson has advanced with wins at the expense of Alexandr Dolgopolov, Jerzy Janowicz, and Kevin Anderson. In six combined matches this week, Gulbis and Johnson have played only one straight-setter (Gulbis in two tiebreakers against Karlovic). Based on current form and past history, Johnson should once again stay mentally strong enough to get the best of his opponent in a close one.
Pick: Johnson in 3
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Ferrer holds with utmost ease.
Ferrer with a 15-30 lead Monfils makes it 30-30 with a drop shot and 40-30 with a strong forehand that forces Ferrer to net but Ferrer with a combo of inside out forehand and a volley winner makes it deuce, Monfils has advantage with a good serve and he holds when Ferrer misses a risky backhand down the line.
risky
risky by Ferrer’s standards.
1st point Ferrer with a good serve 2nd point a miss by Monfils at the net 3rd point another miss by Monfils and 4th point a shocking Monfils forehand and in a jiffy Ferrer holds at love.
Monfils holds to 15 4-3 with 19 straight holds of serve.
Ferrer holds to 15. We have 20 holds of serve in a row.
Ferrer had a 0-30 lead but Monfils wins the next 4 points to hold.
Ferrer serving to stay in the set.
Hypnotic match. Ultimate edge of the seat stuff but instinct says Ferrer will scrape across the line.
btw: your live blogging is brilliant 64aces
Just a side note: Has anyone seen the Basel draw cuz it has some awesome first round match ups including Stan vs Ivo and Nadal vs Rosol and coric vs Anderson and gulbis vs Isner.
Benny G (at 3:59 pm),
I have posted the Basel draw on 2 pages: “The rest” and “Rafael Nadal – 2015.”
Gussie: Should have let you know sooner. Finally fathomed it out after you posted the screen shot showing how it branches out from the original Rafa thread. It took a while before the penny dropped !!
ed251137 (at 4:22 pm),
🙂
Ferrer holds again 5 all
Monfils with a double fault his 8th of the match followed by another double fault and yes monfils with a hat-trick of double faults gifts Ferrer 3 bps and now a forehand wide Monfils commits Hara-kiri and is broken at love Ferrer to serve for the match.
Inevitable 🙁 In many ways it was a surprise it took so long
But I’m happy for Ferrer. He earnt the win the hard way.
Ferrer wins the first point, Monfils with a jumping forehand winner 15 all Ferrer wins the next point 30-15 an errant forehand by Ferrer and its 30 all, a volley winner and Ferrer has Match Point and Ferrer gets the win. GSM Ferrer 7-6 (5) 7-5.
Ferrer vs Johnson final.
Monfils didnt convert on any Bp had 10 double faults in the match and 8 in 2nd set alone he also had 40+ unforced errors. Ferrer won 63% points on 2nd serve if i am not wrong.
Looks like Fed rafa in same half in Basel. Rafa opens against Rosol 🙂
http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/scores/current/basel/328/draws
See my post on October 24, 2015 at 4:02 pm (above).
I add that THEY are not in the same half.