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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who ya got?
I am happy that Monfils got the win over Rosol. But I think Ferrer will be too tough here. I love to watch Monfils, especially when he’s on his game. I would be okay with either guy winning this, but I will go with Ricky’s pick of Ferrer in 3 sets.
I am really surprised to see Gulbis in the semis. Any semis for that matter! 🙂 I heard about Johnson’s win against Anderson on the tennis channel and saw some of the highlights. I am really happy for Johnson. A nice win against a guy who’s been playing well.
Whenever Gulbis decides to play tennis, he can be dangerous. But I am going again with Ricky’s pick of Johnson for the win over Gulbis in 3 sets.
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I finally got to see Anderson/Johnson on the tennis channel replay. I thought Johnson played great in that third set to get the break. He hit some insane shots. He deserved that win. After watching him, if he can continue playing like this, he has a great chance to beat Gulbis.
He owns Gulbis regardless of what kind of form he is in.
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The Monfils tactic’s won’t cut it with Ferrer. First set close – possibly a TB
Ferrer in 2 sets.
Gulbis/Johnson is harder to call. Haven’t seen enough of Johnson to know his game but reckon Gulbis will keep his winning streak going for another round.
Gulbis in 3
yep about Monfils-Ferrer
Taking ferrer and Johnson in straights because both are more solid and reliable than their opponents imo.
Yep
Gulbis monfils would be such an interesting final imo. I’m rooting for Johnson though and I’ll be happy no matter who wins between monfils and ferrer.
Monf vs anyone is often interesting
Ferrer-Johnson would NOT be interesting!
?? me again I don’t know why my phone is not saving my user info all of a sudden anyways yeah ferrer vs Johnson or gulbis wouldn’t be nearly as entertaining as monfils and gulbis or monfils vs Johnson.
Hahah and wrong email there ok I’m on right account now lol.
Gulbis and Ferrer
Gulbis is back to his erratic way as Johnson is 5-2 up
Gulbis with a drop shot but Johnson chases it down and hits a winner Gulbis with a shocking forehand miss puts him down 0-30 but he serves an ace to reduce the arrears then a back hand winner and its 30-30, but a forehand wide by Gulbis and Johnson has a set point, Gulbis saves it with a lob as Johnson comes to the net Gulbis hits a backhand winner to move to advantage Johnson with a return winner and we are at deuce again Gulbis serves an ace he has game point again and this time he gets the job done. Johnson to serve for the set at 5-3
Johnson serves it out with ease first set to Johnson 6-3
Gulbis holds to love to start 2nd set.
Johnson holds to 30 and its 1-1
Johnson breaks with some help from Gulbis
Johnson holds to love and extends his lead
Johnson nets a backhand 15-0 Gulbis with a double fault 15-15 Gulbis with another double fault 15-30 a nonreturnable serve and its 30-30 and Gulbis with 2 more strong serves holds.
Gulbis wins the first point on Johnson’s serve but Johnson wins 4 straight points to hold and make it 4-2
Johnson nets a forehand Gulbis then misses an easy volley another error from Gulbis and its 15-30 a forehand winner from Gulbis makes it 30-30 Gulbis win the next 2 points to hold serve.
Johnson misses the pass as Gulbis comes to the net Gulbis misses an easy forehand Johnson serves a double fault and its 15-30 Johnson puts away an over head smash to make it 30 all Johnson nets a forehand to give Gulbis a break point and Gulbis breaks with a good forehand.