MELBOURNE, January 11, 2017
Defending champion David Goffin was too good for Australian Bernard Tomic on day two of the 2017 Priceline Pharmacy Kooyong Classic winning through to the final of the men’s championship draw on Friday.
The world number 11 from Belgium was in fine form on another hot Melbourne day that provided some tough conditions for the players as the wind picked up throughout the afternoon.
“It was not easy, the wind was a little bit tricky and against Bernie with his game,” Goffin said after the match.
“A flat forehand is never easy but I returned really well, hit some good returns when I had to and served well too – was solid on my serve.
“It was a good match, the conditions were fast and windy so I was really happy with how I managed the match.
“It’s nice to be back in Kooyong and I’m happy to win this one.”
Goffin will go on to play big-serving Croatian Ivo Karlovic in the final, who defeated Frenchman Gilles Simon on the first day of play.
On the women’s side of the championship draw it was fellow Belgian Yanina Wickmayer who progressed to the final after defeating China’s Wang Qiang 6-3 6-4 in the final match of the day.
Wickmayer gets another day of practice before playing Romanian Sorana Cirstea who was too good for Australian Destanee Aiava in the first match of the tournament on Tuesday. The women’s final will also be held on Friday.
In other results, Polish big man Jerzy Janowicz got his second win of the tournament against Japanese speedster Yoshihito Nishioka in a tough contest that featured two tie breakers.
Aussie Whittington Retires Hurt Against Youthny
Earlier in the day local Kooyong product Andrew Whittington was forced to retire against Mikhail Youzhny after rolling his ankle halfway through the opening set.
“Yeah I just wanted to get it strapped and see what it felt like out there,” Whittington said after the match.
Three games later he made the decision to retire from the match after noticeably feeling some discomfort in the ankle while moving around the court after his tumble.
“But I think in the end I had to pull the pin and just get it right for Monday or Tuesday,” he added.
Results, 11 January:
Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) def Andrew Whittington (AUS)
Retired
Bernard Tomic (AUS) def by David Goffin (BEL)
2-6 4-6
Jerzy Janowicz (POL) def Yoshihito Nishioka (JPN)
7-6 7-6
Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) def Qiang Wang (CHN)
6-3 6-4
The schedule for Thursday is as follows:
11:00AM – MATCH #1 – MEN’S EXHIBITION
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga v Borna Coric
FOLLOWED BY – MATCH #2 – WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP 3-4th playoff
Destanee Aiava v Qiang Wang
FOLLOWED BY – MATCH #3 – MEN’S EXHIBITION
Yoshihito Nishioka v Tommy Haas
FOLLOWED BY – MATCH #4 – MEN’S EXHIBITION
Mikhail Youzhny v Karen Khachanov
