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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Gulbis holds to 15 and makes it 5-4
Johnson serving to stay in the set and he produces a love hold 5-5.
Gulbis races to a 40-0 lead but then Johnson wins 3 points in a row and its 40-40 Gulbis survives and now Johnson will serve to force a tie break.
I think Johnson will win the TB
Johnson holds and its a tie break.
Johnson with a passing winner then 2 good serves and its 3-0
Gulbis wins both service points to reduce the arrears
Gulbis with a volley winner and its 3-3 as players change ends
Johnson with an outstanding volley and he moves to a 4-3 lead
Gulbis nets an easy forehand another miss on the forehand gives Johnson 3 match points
Just as I said; Johnson takes the TB. GSM Johnson 63 76
Match stats
Johnson 11 aces 2 double faults 29 winners 12 unforced errors broke serve twice
Gulbis 8 aces 4 double faults 23 winners 29 unforced errors broke serve once
Johnson misses the 1st match point but serves an ace to win 6-3 7-6(4)
ALLEZ Stevie J!! GAME SET MATCH!!??????
Anonymous comment is mine of course lol. Anyways lets go steve!! Now onto ferrer and monfils.
The Stokholm SF were something of a let down with a wimpish performance by Gasquet to hand Sock an easy win. Then a walkover for Berdy after one set when Baggy was forced to retire.
Over in Vienna the lst SF didn’t live up to expectations thanks to Gulbis reverting to having a death wish face to face with Johnson. Apart from a brief spell midway through the 2nd set it was one way traffic for Johnson.
Hope Monfils will keep the confrontation with Ferrer competitive.
Ferrer vs Monfils match has started with Ferrer serving first.
Ferrer saves 3 Bps to holds serve.
Monfils with a backhand passing shot a forehand winner moves ahead 30-0 Ferrer wins a point to make it 30-15 but 2 big serves allow Monfils to hols comfortably.
2 backhands into the net by Ferrer and Monfils has 2 bps Ferrer saves the first when he forces Monfils to hid wide on a forehand an extended baseline exchange and Monfils this time misses a backhand and its deuce Monfils goes for a high risk backhand down the line but misses and Ferrer has game point Ferrer holds as Monfils nets a backhand.
No such problems for Monfils as he holds serve to love in 53 seconds.
Ferrer wins first 2 points on serve Monfils with a winner followed by a miss from Ferrer and its 30-30 Ferrer had game point but he misses a backhand and its 2nd deuce of the game, Monfils hits a forehand long and Ferrer has adv again Ferrer holds as he comes to the net and forces monfils to miss a forehand passing shot on the run.