Defending champion in Marseille Nick Kyrgios defeated Norbert Gombos 6-3 6-3 to reach the last four.
Nick Kyrgios barraged his way to break point opportunities as the Slovakian held his own in the early stages of the match. However the pressure told and in the eighth game the Australian broke to 15 to lead 5-3. He held to love in the next game to seal the first set 6-3. The talented Australian faced no break points in the entire match as he continued his assault on the Slovakian. Kyrgios would break in the fifth game for a 3-2 lead as the world number 128 was powerless. The world number 16 closed out the match on his first break point in 58 minutes to book his place into the last four.
Kyrgios hailed his overall performance after the match, “I thought I served and returned really well today, All that matters is that I’m going out there and playing every point hard. I think I’m pretty aggressive on my returns, particularly here where I’m trying to get in the first big hit.” Hopefully Kyrgios can continue his work rate and effort on bigger stages than this but it was a well deserved win for the Australian who hopes to successfully defend his title this week.
Kyrgios will now play Jo-Wilfred Tsonga in the semifinal, as the inform Frenchman thrashed compatriot Gilles Simon 6-4 6-1. The second seed produced a stunning performance to outpower the defensive Simon as he broke four times during the contest. After 1 hour and 15 minutes Tsonga completed victory and set up tomorrow’s mammoth semifinal. It will be Kyrgios and Tsonga’ first meeting in tomorrow’s exciting semifinal.
Top Half: Gasquet Knocks Out Monfils
Top seed Gael Monfils was knocked out in the top half of the draw by compatriot Richard Gasquet. Gasquet winning 6-7(5) 6-4 6-2 to book his place in the semifinals. Both men shared breaks in the fourth and fifth games as Monfils edged a tight opening set 7-5 in the breaker.
The second set saw a 4-1 lead slip from Gasquet as he was pegged back to 4-3. In a set where momentum swung both ways Gasquet eventually closed out a tight set 6-4 on second set point. In the third set Monfils eventually ran out of gas, and Gasquet broke twice to seal the match in 2 hours and 16 minutes. A much needed win for Gasquet who continues his good run of form.
Gasquet will now play compatriot and fourth seed Lucas Pouille as the three time grand slam quarterfinalist fought off next gen star Danill Medvedev 4-6 6-1 6-4. Another fantastic effort by the talented Russian, however Pouille won 85% of first service points to dictate play and advance to the semifinals.
Prediction: Gasquet in three, Kyrgios in three.
