Tennis: Roger Federer reclaims the number one ranking with a win over Nick Kyrgios, and Gasquet dispatched Tomic to reach his first grass court final since 2006.
The finals at the Mercedes Cup in Stuttgart are set between Milos Raonic and Roger Federer while Richard Gasquet will play Jeremy Chardy in the finals at the Libema Open in Hertogenbosch, Netherlands.
Milos Raonic was dominant in all aspects of the match.
Milos Raonic dispatched Lucas Pouille 6-4, 7-6 (3) to set a date in the finals with Roger Federer. He fired 19 aces with a 57% first serve percentage to Pouille’s 7 aces with the same first serve percentage. Milos saved the only break point he faced, whereas, Pouille was broken twice in three break-points. Lucas Pouille won 18% of the return-of-serve points as compared to 31% by Milos Raonic. In the end, Raonic won 76 and Pouille 64 of the total points played.
With this win, Milos Raonic improved his record to 3-0 against Lucas Pouille and now looks forward to winning his first title in 2018.
Roger Federer reclaimed the number one rank with the win over Nick Kyrgios.
Nick Kyrgios fired 23 aces to Roger Federer’s 12, and still lost 6-7 (2), 6-2, 7-6 (5). Kyrgios, however, had 8 double faults and a 71% first serve percentage, as compared to 2 double and 63% first-serve percentage of Roger Federer.
A better second serve and return-of-serve helped Roger win.
The big differentiator was the 75% second serve winning percentage of Roger Federer as compared to 48% of Nick Kyrgios. Federer’s service games were tight, and he faced no break-points. He, however, won 2 of 4 break-point opportunities he created.
The return-of-serve stats also made a significant difference with Roger Federer winning 27% of the first and 52% of the second-serve returns as compared to 15% and 25% respectively of Nick Kyrgios. Moreover, Roger won 108 and Nick only 90 of the total points played.
Roger Federer versus Milos Raonic.
Roger Federer enjoys a winning 10-3 record against Milos Raonic. He prevailed in their last meeting at Wimbledon in 2017. They both know each other’s strengths and weaknesses well. Roger Federer will win if he can find a way to neutralize Milos Raonic’s serve and Raonic stands a chance if he can serve out of his mind.
Conclusion: Roger Federer over Milos Raonic in three, or Milos in three with over 30 aces.
Richard Gasquet versus Jeremy Chardy at the Libema Open In Hertogenbosch.
At the Libema Open In Hertogenbosch, Richard Gasquet fought back a stiff resistance from Bernard Tomic, and Jeremy Chardy dispatched Matthew Ebden, to reach the finals.
Gasquet was stretched, but prevailed 6-4, 6-7 (6), 6-2 and improved 8-2 against Tomic. Chardy dispatched Ebden 6-4, 7-5 and will play his first final since 2009. Chardy’s will 4-0 against Ebden. Gasquet enjoys a 4-1 record against his countryman, Chardy, and appears in a reasonably good position to make it 5-1 tomorrow.
Conclusion: Richard Gasquet in 3 sets over Jeremy Chardy.