Auckland
Singles – Semifinal: (1) D Ferrer def. (WC) G Monfils 6-1 6-2
OK, so maybe Gael Monfils still has a few things to work on. We’d still call this a promising run for him. More promising than for David Ferrer, who still hasn’t, and won’t, earn any points this week.
Singles – Semifinal: (2) P Kohlschreiber def. (4) S Querrey 6-4 7-6(7-2)
This is going to be quite a scrambling final! And it’s a comfortable place for both finalists; Philipp Kohlschreiber won his only career hardcourt title here five years ago. David Ferrer is even more at home, having won Auckland three times. You could hardly hope for more experience. Kohlschreiber had better hope that his counts; he still hasn’t earned enough points to improve his ranking. He remains #19; a title would make him #17. Sam Querrey will stay at #22.
Doubles – Semifinal: (1) Fleming/Soares def. (3) Knowle/Polasek 7-6(7-0) 7-6(7-3)
Doubles – Semifinal: Brunstrom/Nielsen def. Cermak/Mertinak 6-6(7-9) 6-4 10-6
Sydney
Singles – Semifinal: B Tomic def. (3) A Seppi 7-6(12-10) 6-4
When Bernard Tomic comes to life, he really comes to life! He will be going for his first career title. He leaves Andreas Seppi still at #22, meaning that Alexandr Dolgopolov will retain the last Top Twenty spot.
Singles – Semifinal: K Anderson def. J Benneteau 3-6 6-4 7-6(10-8)
Not only is Tomic in hot form, he will be facing a very tired opponent; this was a marathon in which Kevin Anderson had to save two match points. That puts Anderson on the brink of the Top Thirty; we show him rising to #27 if he can take the title. Julien Benneteau, last year’s finalist, falls a bit, but at least he did well enough to stay Top Forty.
Doubles – Semifinal: (1) Bryan/Bryan def. (3) Granollers/M Lopez 7-5 6-3
Doubles – Semifinal: (4) Mirnyi/Tecau def. Marrero/Verdasco 6-1 6-1