KITZBÜHEL/WASHINGTON, July 25, 2024 (by Michael Dickens)
Germany’s Yannick Hanfmann has always enjoyed good success playing in the Austrian Alps – and this year is no exception.
On Thursday afternoon at the ATP 250 Generali Open in Kitzbühel, the 116th-ranked Hanfmann advanced to his seventh ATP Tour semifinal – his sixth on clay and third in Kitzbühel – with his 7-6 (2), 6-4 victory over No. 72 Thiago Seyboth Wild of Brazil.
By the conclusion of the one-hour, 48-minute quarterfinal tussle on Centre Court at Kitzbühel Tennis Club, Hanfmann remained undefeated (7-0) against Brazilians on tour-level, including two wins this week in the Kitzbühel draw over 155th-ranked lucky loser Gustavo Heide and Seyboth Wild.
Yannick Hanfmann (photo: Brigitte Urban)
Hanfmann hit 28 winners, saved six of seven break points, and outpointed Seyboth Wild 81-72.
“I’m very happy to win this one. I thought I played a very good second set,” Hanfmann said in his on-court interview. “The crowd was very good today, good support. … I really feel the love. I can’t wait for tomorrow.”
Next, Hanfmann (15-19 in 2024) will face No. 50 Matteo Berrettini of Italy, who defeated 143rd-ranked wild card Nicolas Moreno De Alboran of the United States, 7-6 (5), 6-3, in Friday’s semifinal round.
Berrettini garnered his eighth straight win – all on clay – by hitting seven aces and 22 winners overall, and saving all three break points he faced during this one-hour and 51-minute quarterfinal. He outpointed Moreno De Alboran 79-64 in achieving his 19th win of the season.
Mr. Tie-break 👨✈️
A flawless 5/5 record in tie-breaks this week for @MattBerrettini as he advances into the SF with a 7-6(5) 6-3 win over Moreno De Alboran!#GeneraliOpen pic.twitter.com/fbFjMn5hmO
— ATP Tour (@atptour) July 25, 2024
Around the Generali Open
Patience and perseverance paid off for Argentina’s Facundo Diaz Acosta in his quarterfinal match against No. 4 seed Pedro Martinez of Spain. After three hours and 32 minutes, the 77th-ranked Diaz Acosta pulled off a 6-7 (2), 6-3, 6-4 upset victory over the 45th-ranked Martinez that covered 249 points. It included a 20-point fifth game in the second set in which Diaz Acosta broke Martinez on his fifth break point of the game.
Twisting into the semis 🌪️🔀🙌
Diaz Acosta makes his way into the semi-finals defeating No. 4 seed Martinez 6-7(2) 6-3 6-4 #GeneraliOpen pic.twitter.com/1kccz5CZkl
— ATP Tour (@atptour) July 25, 2024
With his 15th win of the season secured, Diaz Acosta has reached his second ATP Tour semifinal after winning the Buenos Aires title in February. He is now 6-4 against the Top 50 on clay (6-9 overall) and has posted 16 of 17 career ATP Tour wins on the surface.
Diaz Acosta hit 50 winners, converted four of 19 break points and outpointed Martinez 129-120. Next, Diaz Acosta will face No. 91 Hugo Gaston of France, who endured for three hours and eight minutes to upset defending champion and top seed Sebastian Baez of Argentina, ranked 18th, 7-5, 5-7, 7-6 (6), in Friday’s semifinal round.
Thursday’s Generali Open results
Friday’s Generali Open order of play
By the numbers
Matteo Berrettini is on an eight-match winning streak after winning last week’s Gstaad title and he’s 9-0 in tie-breaks over the past two weeks. Berrettini is 13-1 on clay this season.
“Quotable …”
“I’m really happy about the performance. I had never played him before so I really didn’t know what to expect. I had to dig deep in my energy and my levels. I fought hard and I’m really happy.”
— Matteo Berrettini of Italy, during his on-court interview following his quarterfinal win over Nicolas Moreno De Alboran.
