Mahut on his way to title in Rosmalen after impressive victory over Tomic
10/06/16, 21:35
Nicolas Mahut (ATP-49) has reached the last four in Rosmalen for the third time in his career. The two-times tournament winner (2013 and 2015) won his match against second seed Bernard Tomic (ATP-23), who is also a fervent fan of grass tennis,: 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-2.
The two players first met in Brisbane at the beginning of the year. Then it was Tomic who won 6-4, 6-3.
The Australian Had an early break, but at 5-4 he lost the advantage.
The 23-year-old Tomic took the lead in the tiebreak after a great rally, but Mahut took the next four points. However, at the end Mahut, who is 11 years older, saw his opponent taking the set.
At 2-2 in the second set Mahut played a fantastic return winner. He broke Tomic’s service with a forehand return winner, an effective lob and attacking play.
The title defender did not have any problems in his own service and took the set at 5-4 after Tomic missed a forehand return.
The brand new doubles’ number one started the third set with a break, after which the excitement of the game faded out. After a new break at 4-2 the eighth seed took the match against the tournament debutant with an ace.
To reach the final, Mahut will have to shake off fifth seed Sam Querrey (ATP-37). The American hard hitter is playing for the first time in Rosmalen.