Nicolas Almagro outlasts Juan Monaco to reach semis – Bet at home Open 2013
Former world number nine, Nicolas Almagro, made an impressive comeback from a set down to outclass the fifth seed, Juan Monaco, in a three-set thriller at the Bet at home Open German Tennis Championships 2013 on Friday. He notched up a 4-6, 6-0, 6-3 victory against the Argentine to secure a spot in the final four at this ATP World Tour 500 series event being held in Hamburg, Germany.
Seeded third in this event, Almagro made a dismal entry and gifted away the opening set. However, he made a fitting reply and ultimately carved out the victory in one hour and 55 minutes. With this win, Almagro not only avenged his loss in the semi-finals at this event but also extended his lead in the FedEx ATP Head 2 Head series by 6-3 against the 29-year-old.
The Spanish number three commented in a courtside interview after stealing the show, "We know each other really well. I am happy to win, but I hope I can do better tomorrow. It is great to be in the semi-finals again."
The defending champion, Monaco, made quick in-roads. He drew the first blood in the opening game and took the initial lead. Despite squandering his edge in the fourth game, the Argentine put his head in the game and got the breakthrough in the ninth game. As a result, Monaco sealed the opener by winning six games to four.
Almagro re-structured in the following set. He reeled off six straight games and grabbed the equaliser with a bagel.
Currently ranked 15th in the Emirates Airways ATP World Tour Rankings, Almagro suffered the first blow in the third game and fell at 1-3. However, he unleashed barrage of groundstrokes and stroke out next five games.
Next in line for Almagro is the 12th seed, Fabio Fognini, who captured his maiden ATP World Tour title last week at the Mercedes Cup in Stuttgart.
The Argentinean qualifier, Federico Delbonis, will accompany Almagro in the final four.
"These kinds of matches are incredible and amazing," said the Argentinean challenger in a post match presser. "There were so many changes. There were chances for him, chances for me, before I could get the victory."
Delbonis will face off the 17-time Grand Slam champion, Roger Federer, in the semi-finals.
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