Monfils and Nishikori Advance to Gerry Weber Quarterfinals
Fourth-seeded Gael Monfils edged Mikhail Kukushkin 7-6(1), 6-4 to reach the final eight of the Gerry Weber Open on Thursday. After taking the first set in a tie-breaker, Monfils nailed down the lone break of the second set and went on to close out the match in straight sets.
The Frenchman will meet Italian Andreas Seppi, who ousted fifth-seeded Tommy Robredo 6-2, 6-7(6), 6-3.
Japan’s Kei Nishikori moved into the quarterfinals as well, moving past German wild card Dustin Brown 7-5, 6-1. The match was even through the first 10 games before a double-fault from Brown gave Nishikori two break point chances. After converting on one, he consolidated it with a hold to take the opening set.
He then put together a patented display of returning in the second set, cruising to the straight-set victory.
“These two matches will help me get more confidence,” Nishikori said of his Wimbledon preparation. “I hope to play many more.”
Nishikori will take on Jerzy Janowicz in the quarterfinals, as Janowicz hung on to beat Colombia’s Alejandro Falla 6-2, 5-7, 6-2.
