JAPAN OPEN TENNIS SEMIFINALS – GAEL MONFILS, MARIN CILIC, DAVID GOFFIN, & NICK KYRGIOS – BARCLAYS WORLD TOUR YEAR END FINALS ON THE LINE

Written by: Staff on 7th October 2016

JAPAN OPEN TENNIS SEMIFINALS - GAEL MONFILS, MARIN CILIC, DAVID GOFFIN, & NICK KYRGIOS - BARCLAYS WORLD TOUR YEAR END FINALS ON THE LINE

epa05573988 Marin Cilic of Croatia hits a return to Juan Monaco of Argentina during their men's singles quarterfinal match at the Japan Open Tennis Championships in Tokyo, Japan, 07 October 2016. EPA/KIYOSHI OTA |

By Ricky Dimon

Only one of the four semifinalists at the Rakuten Japan Open is currently inside the cut line for the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals. The other three, though, are in contention–however distant. Joining world No. 8 Gael Monfils on Saturday’s schedule are Marin Cilic, David Goffin, and Nick Kyrgios. Cilic is currently in 10th place and would rise to No. 9 with a title in Tokyo. Goffin could climb as high as No. 10 by lifting the winner’s trophy, and Kyrgios has a chance to reach the 11th spot.

Ricky previews and and makes his picks for what is an important day in Tokyo.

(6) Nick Kyrgios vs. (2) Gael Monfils

Monfils and Kyrgios will be facing each other for the second time in their careers and for the first time with anything at stake when they meet on Saturday. Their only previous collision came as a dead Davis Cup rubber two seasons ago on the red clay of France, where Monfils prevailed 7-6(5), 6-4. This one should be far more intriguing, especially with Monfils in position for a spot in the World Tour Finals. The Frenchman is sixth in the race to London and could lead No. 9 (currently Tomas Berdych) by 985 points if he captures the Tokyo title. Monfils, a recent U.S. Open semifinalist, has improved to an awesome 43-12 for the 2016 campaign with straight-set victories this week over Yuichi Sugita, Gilles Simon, and Ivo Karlovic.

Nick Kyrgios of Australia hits a return to Gilles Muller of Luxembourg during their men’s singles quarterfinal match at the Japan Open Tennis Championships in Tokyo, Japan, 07 October 2016. EPA/KIYOSHI OTA

Kyrgios is also perfect so far in Tokyo, although he has played just two matches because he got a second-round walkover from Radek Stepanek. The 21-year-old Australian opened with 7-5, 6-2 win over Ryan Harrison before cruising past Gilles Muller 6-4, 6-2. Kyrgios is 36-14 for the year and registers at No. 15 in the world. Through two matches he has crushed 32 aces compared to only three double-faults and has not dropped serve a single time.

Pick: Kyrgios in 3

(5) David Goffin vs. (4) Marin Cilic

David Goffin of Belgium hits a return to Joao Sousa of Portugal during the men’s singles quarterfinal match at the Japan Open Tennis Championships in Tokyo, Japan, 07 October 2016. EPA/KIYOSHI OTA

Cilic and Goffin will be squaring off for the third time in their careers and for the third time this year. Goffin leads the head-to-head series 2-0, having emerged victorious 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 in a clay-court Davis Cup contest and 7-6(4), 6-2 in Indian Wells. The 14th-ranked Belgian ended up making a run to back-to-back semifinals in Indian Wells and Miami before reaching the French Open quarterfinals. Goffin has cooled off since then, but he has advanced to the semis this week by beating Yoshihito Nishioka, Jiri Vesely, and Joao Sousa.

Additional importance can be placed on this showdown because both players are in outside contention for a place in London; each really needs a title in order to make a serious move. Goffin is currently 11th in the race, while Cilic is in 10th and would reach No. 9 if he lifts the winner’s trophy. The Croat booked his spot in the semis by taking out Benoit Paire, Fernando Verdasco, and Juan Monaco. Conditions in Tokyo should suit Cilic better than those of their previous encounters, and his ability to win free points on serve may make the difference in what will likely be a hard-fought battle.

Pick: Cilic in 3

Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand.

Rakuten Japan Open Tennis Championships

Tokyo, Japan

RESULTS – FRIDAY, 7 OCTOBER 2016

Singles – Quarter-finals

[2] G. Monfils (FRA) d [7] I. Karlovic (CRO) 76(6) 76(6)

[4] M. Cilic (CRO) d [PR] J. Monaco (ARG) 75 61

[5] D. Goffin (BEL) d J. Sousa (POR) 16 75 62

[6] N. Kyrgios (AUS) d G. Muller (LUX) 64 62

Doubles – Semi-finals

M. Granollers (ESP) / M. Matkowski (POL) d J. Cabal (COL) / R. Farah (COL) 76(2) 75

Doubles – Quarter-finals

A. Qureshi (PAK) / G. Simon (FRA) d R. Lindstedt (SWE) / A. Peya (AUT) 62 62

SCHEDULE – SATURDAY, 8 OCTOBER 2016

CENTRE COURT start 12:00 noon

[5] D. Goffin (BEL) vs [4] M. Cilic (CRO)

[6] N. Kyrgios (AUS) vs [2] G. Monfils (FRA)

A. Qureshi (PAK) / G. Simon (FRA) vs [2] R. Klaasen (RSA) / R. Ram (USA)

Topics: 10sballs.com, Atp World Tour, David Goffin, Gael Monfils, Japan Open, Marin Cilic, Nick Kyrgios, Rakuten Japan Open, Sports, Tennis News

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October 7, 2016 at 11:14 am

#JapanOpen #Tennis Semifinals – Monfils, Cilic, Goffin, & Kyrgios – Barclays World Tour Year End Finals On The Line… https://t.co/ToSidiPIu8