STUTTGART, June 16, 2017
A German trio headlined Friday’s quarterfinal action at the MercedesCup. Sixth seed Mischa Zverev emerged victorious from the all-German-affair with Tommy Haas, winning 6-4, 6-4.
Haas, who beat top seed and World No. 5 Roger Federer on Wednesday to reach the stage of the final eight for the first time since 2014, could not really find his rhythm on a windy afternoon in Stuttgart. The 39-year-old eventually left the court without serving an ace. Zverev on the other hand hit 16 aces, saved all three break points he faced and converted two of his own to prevail in 67 minutes.
Tommy Haas’ daughter Valentina joined her father during the press conference
“I had a few chances to serve for the second set but I didn’t use them. That frustrates me a little bit but that’s how it goes,” Haas was disappointed but could also take some positives from the week.
“I played three matches. It’s been a while. That’s a nice feeling and I am looking forward to next week now.” Haas will travel to Halle next competing in the Gerry Weber Open.
Zverev advanced to his first semi-final in Stuttgart, celebrating his first win over Haas in the pair’s second tour meeting.
“I have never beaten him and we met on grass before. He gave me a lesson back then like he did to a lot of other players on grass and any other surface. Against Roger he showed how well he still can play. His serve might not be the fastest but it is very effective. It wasn’t an easy match and I am happy to be through.”
López Beats Berdych
Feliciano López
Zverev will next take on Feliciano López of Spain, who knocked out the tournament’s number three Tomas Berdych 6-7, 6-3, 6-4. The 35-year-old from Madrid withstood 21 aces, firing 19 of his own to secure victory in two hours and eight minutes.
“It has been a long way back into the semis here,” López told after reaching the stage of the final four in Stuttgart for the first time since 2007. “I am very happy with my performance today. I needed to play my best tennis to beat a great player like Tomas. I was also a bit lucky in some moments but I tried to stay aggressive, as I was also a bit tired in the third set.”
Lucas Pouille fought past Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany, winning 6-4, 2-6, 6-3. The fourth seed from France saved five of the seven break points he faced, converting two of his own to prevail in one hour and 36 minutes.
“I played a great match today. I served well in the first and third set, I played aggressively and I am happy to be in the semis,” told Pouille, who gained his first win over the German after losing in the second round of the ATP 500 event in Rotterdam in February.
Next up for Pouille will be fellow Frenchman Benoit Paire, who defeaeted Jerzy Janowicz from Poland in the final match of the day 6-1, 7-6. The World No. 49 from Avignon won 92 per cent of his first service points and finished the encounter after 61 minutes without facing a break point.
