Gilles Simon overcomes Matthias Bachinger to reach the final – BRD Nastase Tiriac Trophy 2012
Seeded at number one in the tournament draw, French tennis ace, Gilles Simon, overcame the unseeded German contender, Matthias Bachinger, in the semi-final of the BRD Nastase Tiriac Trophy on Saturday. The 12th ranked
Frenchman wrapped up his 20th victory of the 2012 ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) season in straight sets, 7-5, 6-2, to earn a title shot in the final of the clay court event.
Being a part of the ATP World Tour 250 clay-court swing, the competition was played in Bucharest, Romania. 120th ranked Bachinger has been outstanding throughout the tournament but couldn’t put up a winning performance
in the semi-final clash against Simon. He came under the lime light when he stunned the fourth seed Serbian, Viktor Troicki, in the second round draw and capitalised on his victory to reach the semis of the tournament. Bachinger’s game play wasn’t good enough
to contain Simon and he was found lingering behind the top seeded Frenchman all the way to defeat.
Simon faced some early resistance in the opener but remained focused and kept winning the crucial points on regularity. The set was heading to a tie-breaker round but the French made a critical move towards the end and a cracking
serve break closed out the opener in his favour. Getting one up in the contest, Simon came out all guns blazing in the second set and launched an all-round onslaught over the German opponent. He spared just two games for Bachinger and cruised through the set
with the utmost ease to conclude victory in style.
"It was a difficult match again," said Simon after winning the battle against Bachinger. "His serve was amazing today and he saved many break points with aces or winners. I was playing and moving better than yesterday, but Matthias
gave me a hard time on the court. I feel good. I know that I can play very good here. I know the centre court perfectly and I really think I can win this tournament one more time."
The top seed French has already won the BRD Nastase Tiriac Trophy twice (in 2007 and 2008) and is eyeing to lift the gold once again on Sunday against Italy’s Fabio Fognini. The unseeded Italian outplayed the surprise qualifier
from Hungary, Attila Balazs, 6-3, 6-1, in the semi-final round of the tournament. He will go one-on-one against Simon for the title on Sunday, with the top seeded former champion being the hot favourite for winning.
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