Saturday’s semifinal lineup in Hamburg is a surprising one, but also one that the German faithful will greet with delight. Each of the two matches will have a player representing the host nation, as both Alexander Zverev and Philipp Kohlschreiber continued their runs on Friday. David Ferrer and Leonardo Mayer also advanced. In Bogota, meanwhile, Ivo Karlovic maintained his fine form.
Hamburg summary
Ferrer required three sets to win each of his first two matches at this week’s bet-at-home Open, but he raised his level on Friday to rout Pablo Andujar 6-0, 6-2. The top-seeded Spaniard needed just one hour and six minutes to book his spot in the semifinals.
“It’s never easy but for sure it was my best match this week,” Ferrer explained. “I’m happy for that. I think the first and second round I didn’t play my good tennis; I just played good in some moments. Today, I played all the match good, without a lot of mistakes and playing aggressive and consistently with my forehand. I’m happy with my game and because I am in the semifinals.”
Next up for Ferrer is the 17-year-old Zverev, who is making a memorable move into prominence on the ATP Tour. Zverev won his fourth match of the week, recovering from a slow start to oust fellow German Tobias Kamke 0-6, 7-5, 6-3. Meanwhile, Kohlschreiber had lost to Lukas Rosol last week in Stuttgart but rebounded to beat the Czech 6-4, 6-4 on Friday. Mayer eased into the last four with a 6-1, 7-5 victory over Dusan Lajovic.
David Ferrer serves the ball to his compatriot Pablo Andujar during their quarter final match at the ATP tennis tournament in Hamburg, Germany, 18 July 2014. EPA/DANIEL REINHARDT
Bogota summary
Victor Estrella Burgos became the first man from the Dominican Republic in ATP Tour history to reach the top 100 when he accomplished the feat earlier this season. Now the 33-year-old is likely headed for the top 80 after reaching his first-ever semifinal. He did so by upsetting Richard Gasquet 6-3, 6-4 on Friday night. Estrella will go up against Bernard Tomic, who dismissed Vasek Pospisil 6-4, 6-4. Karlovic, a runner-up last week in Newport, got the best of Jimmy Wang 6-3, 7-6(6). The 6’11” Croat will now face Radek Stepanek, who took out Colombia’s own Alejandro Gonzalez 6-4, 6-4.
Briefs
* Zverev takes run one step further, into semifinals and will soar approximately 125 spots to No. 160.
* Mayer handles Lajovic, into top 40 and will reach top 30 with final.
* Ferrer crushes Andujar, passes Raonic for No. 6 in the world.
* Kohlschreiber avenges loss to Rosol, will be no worse than 25th.
* Karlovic takes care of Wang, needs one more win for chance to stay top 30.
* Tomic downs Pospisil, will soar into top 100.
* Stepanek cruises past Gonzalez, must reach final to earn spot in top 30.
* Estrella Burgos upsets Gasquet, nearly a lock for top 80.
Topics: Alexander Zverev, Atp World Tour, Bogota, David Ferrer, Hamburg, Philipp Kohlschreiber, Ricky Dimon, Tennis, Tennis News
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