KITZBÜHEL, August 6, 2015
Three seeded players headlined the action on quarterfinals Thursday at the Generali Open in Kitzbühel.
In the first match on centre court sixth seed Philipp Kohlschreiber knocked off the tournament’s number three Fabio Fognini, winning 7-6, 6-4. The 31-year-old German had to come back from a break down in the opening set to take the frame in the tie-break 7-0. From then on, Kohlschreiber was confident with his shots and showed solid tennis from the baseline to seal victory in one hour and 38 minutes.
Fabio Fognini
Philipp Kohlschreiber beat Fognini a third time in their fourth tour meeting
„I had a couple of tight matches this season, in which I lost in the quarterfinals. Therefore, it was important for me to close it out today and I am very happy,” Kohlschreiber seemed to be relieved afterwards. “I still keep fighting but there are still certain things to improve. The more matches you win, the easier it is on court. I really like this tournament here, which makes it even nicer,” the German, who moved to the Tyrolean mountains at the beginning of the year, told after he reached his second semi-finals of the season. “Kitzbühel has become a home tournament for me. The support is great. I really enjoy it.”
Local hero and top-seed Dominic Thiem benefited from the retirement of Albert Montaῆes, leading 7-6, 3-2 after one hour and 24 minutes. The 34-year-old Spaniard, who beat the Austrian youngster in their only previous meeting here in Kitzbühel two years ago, had to give up due to injury. Thiem celebrated his 10th consecutive match win, setting an Austrian-German clash with Kohlschreiber in the semi-finals.
Albert Montanes
Dominic Thiem
“I feel sorry for Albert as well as the spectators, as it was a fantastic atmosphere on court,” Thiem said. “It was a weird match, as I couldn’t confirm one break in the first set. Unfortunately, the second didn’t take so long. Physically I feel good. I had a good rest,” Thiem told and is looking forward to meet Kohlschreiber in the semi-finals. “He is a great and experienced player. I think it will be a very interesting and attractive match tomorrow. I will need to play even better. We practiced together a couple of times, so we know each other pretty well,” the Austrian said ahead of his first tour meeting with the German.
Kohlschreiber practiced with Dominic Thiem’s 15-year-old brother, Moritz, ahead of his quarterfinals and is also looking forward to the encounter against the 21-year-old Austrian. “Dominic is a great player. Winning two tournaments in a row is incredible. I really like him and his family. He is a nice guy and I wish him all the best for the future, which will be for sure a successful one, but tomorrow he doesn’t have to show his best,” Kohlschreiber told with a smile. He also revealed that there is something he absolutely doesn’t like about Thiem. “His haircut is a no-go,” the world number 39 laughed.
Nicolas Almagro defeated Dusan Lajovic, winning 6-3, 6-4. The 29-year-old Spaniard, who missed the entire second half of the last year’s season and entered the tournament through protected ranking, saved all five break points he faced and capitalized on two of his own to reach his second semi-finals of the season after one hour and 12 minutes.
Dusan Lajovic
Nicolas Almagro
Almagro will take on Paul-Henri Mathieu next, who defeated Federico Delbonis, winning 6-3, 0-6, 6-3. The French qualifier won 68% of his first service points and capitalized on five of his eight break point chances to prevail after one hour and 55 minutes. Mathieu will play his first semi-finals on the ATP World Tour this season.
