Gasquet and Querrey Reach Aegon Semis
Top-seeded and world No. 14 Richard Gasquet is into the semifinals at the Aegon International after defeating rising star Martin Klizan 6-3, 6-4 on Thursday in Eastbourne, England. Gasquet is now one win away from reaching his 22nd career ATP World Tour final.
The Frenchman won this title in 2005 and 2006 when it was in Nottingham, and is attempting to get back to the final this time around.
He used a dominant first serve to keep Klizan at bay, converting on 79 percent of his first serves compared to just 54 percent for his opponent. He also converted two of his four break point opportunities while Klizan failed to capitalize on a single break point.
“I have won two good matches,” said Gasquet. “Tomic and Klizan are good players. I served well, I could play with power. It’s a good start of the week for me.”
Gasquet now moves into the semifinals and a matchup with Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan. Istomin won his quarterfinal matchup against Frenchman Edouard Roger-Vasselin 7-6(5), 6-2.
American Sam Querrey will be in the other semifinal matchup in England as he defeated France’s Julien Benneteau 7-6(5), 6-4. Querrey reached the title match of this event back in 2010, and will face either defending champion Feliciano Lopez or Jeremy Chardy, who played today on the grass-courts.
The 26-year old from San Francisco smashed 16 aces as Benneteau was unable to counter his powerful serve. It is his first semifinal appearance since the Claycourt Championships in Houston back in early April.
