HALLE, June 19, 2015
The top four seeds headlined the action on quarterfinals Friday at the Gerry Weber Open in Halle.
On a rainy Day 5, the players stayed dry under the roof on centre court, when the tournament’s number one Roger Federer showed a powerful demonstration beating Florian Mayer in straight sets 6-0, 7-6. The German did not get anywhere near a break point and Federer closed the match in the tie-break of the second set after 64 minutes.
“I played the perfect tie-break,” Federer analysed afterwards. “The important thing, however, is that Florian has found back to the tour after his injury and is really improving,” the Swiss world number two praised his opponent, who was sidelined for about one year.
Federer will meet Ivo Karlovic, who knocked out third seed Tomas Berdych in the first match of the day, winning 7-5, 6-7, 6-3. The 36-year-old Croat extended his head to head records to 5-3 against the Czech, also setting a new best-of-three-record by firing 45 aces. Karlovic faced only three break points and saved all to seal victory in two hours and 11 minutes.
“It’s unbelievable. I am really happy about the record as well as winning against a top 10 player,” Karlovic was very satisfied afterwards and told about the things he is going to do the rest of the day. “I will relax, having a massage and also maybe a beer, but only one, as the tournament’s not been over yet,” he laughed.
Berdych/Karlovic conversation via twitter after the match
Second seed Kei Nishikori won the first meeting with Jerzy Janowicz, beating the Pole 6-4, 5-7, 6-3. The 25-year-old Japanese, who appeared in his second straight year quarterfinal in Halle, won 72% of his first service points, winning in two and a half hours.
“It was a real tough match today because I let Jerzy get back into the match in the second set. In the end I’m just so glad to be in the Semi-finals,” Nishikori said, whose performance was broadcast live on TV at home in Japan.
The world number five will face Andreas Seppi in the semi-finals. The only remaining unseeded player in the draw gained his second victory over Gael Monfils in their fifth tour meeting, as the Frenchman was forced to retire due to injury after 32 minutes at 1-6, 0-1. Monfils crashed into the side wall.
