TENNIS – Roger Federer edged Ivo Karlovic 7-6(5) 7-6(4) in one hour and 28 minutes to reach his 10th final at the Gerry Weber Open in Halle. Federer will be bidding for his eighth title at the German grass tournament against Andreas Seppi who took advantage of Kei Nishikori’s withdrawal at 1-4 in the first set. Diego Sampaolo
It is hardly surprising that this match was decided by tiebreaks as both men have built their game on their serve. Karlovic possesses one of the most formidable serve in the game. The first set went on serve until the tie-break. Federer hit a backhand passing shot on the seventh point getting that crucial mini-break before winning the final four points to clinch the first set with 7-5.
Federer fended off the only break point of the match in the fourth game of the second set Federer got a mini-break lead but Karlovic broke back. Federer got another mini-break at 5-4 when Karlovic hit a backhand volley into the net. With this win Federer now leads 13-1 in his head-to-head matches against Karlovic.
“It was a tough match. I was struggling to read his serve in the first set but I handled it better in the second set”, said Federer
Federer leads 11-1 against his final’s rival Andreas Seppi but the Italian beat the Swiss Maestro in the third round at last January’s Australian Open.
ATP 500 at Quuen’s: Anderson qualifies for the final:
Kevin Anderson overcame Giles Simon 6-3 6-7(6) 6-3 to reach the final at the ATP 500 at Queen’s Club.
Simon fended off a match point at 6-5 in the tie-break of the second set. The South African player got the break in the 8th game of the third set before clinching the win on the third match point. He qualified for his 10th final and his first on grass.
The other semifinal between three-time Queen’s champion Andy Murray and Viktor Troicki was suspended because of rain at 3-3 in the first set when Troicki was facing a fourth break point.
WTA Birmingham: Pliskova sets up final against Kerber
Karolina Pliskova beat Kristina Mladenovic 6-2 7-6 (8-6) to reach her first final on grass at the AEGON Classic in Birmingham. The Czech player will face Angelique Kerber who won the all-German semifinal against former Wimbledon finalist Sabine Lisicki.
Pliskova broke serve immediately after the second interruption due to rain. Mladenovic earned three set points at 6-3 in the tie-break but Pliskova bounced back to win it 8-6.
Pliskova will face Angelique Kerber for the fifth time. They are tied 2-2 in their previous head-to-head matches.
“The conditions werehard and Kristina was playig really well, so the second set wasn’t easy at all. As it went on. it was getting work. She was starting to play better and better, so I couldn’t be happier to make it through in two sets ”, said Pliskova
