Swedish Open Site
July 10, 2024

S�derling, Gaudio, Zabaleta and Gonzalez. Those are the names on the remaining players.

Rain during the first part of the day forced the quarterfinal day to be compressed. The matches did not get going until five hours after the scheduled starting time.

The tournament staff decided to play all quarterfinals at the same time and seldomly has so many quality tennis players been on display in B�stad.

On Center Court, the young Swedish star took on Juan Ignacio Chela. S�derling was once again the underdog but seemed confident right from the start of the match. After a beginning that almost was on the same level as yesterday against Robredo, S�derling grabbed the first set 6-3.

He continued to be the better player in the second set and held on to a 4-2 lead. But what looked like a relatively easy straight set victory turned into a close three set match. Chela made the Swede work and never let himself down in the long rallies.

- It felt like I had the match at this point, but at the same time I knew that he always fights til the end, S�derling said at the post-match press conference.

Second set had a thrilling end where S�derling missed a few more shots than during earlier stages of the match.

- I was going a little bit too much for some shots at the end of the second set. After all, he can miss although it is seldomly, S�derling said.

In the final set, both players looked tired and S�derling faced trouble while serving at 2-2. Chela had five break points but could not convert any of these. At the changeover, S�derling took an injury time out.

- My legs felt really tired and I needed a longer break, S�derling explained after the match.

The tactical decision proved to be succesful. After the break, S�derling finished of the match by winning three straight games, two of these while Chela was serving. The fantastic crowd, that had been waiting for five hours during the rain delay, cheered S�derling on and were happy to have a Swede through to the final four.

On Court 1, it was decided who S�derling�s opponent will be on Saturday when Gaston Gaudio and Rafael Nadal squared off. It was a match full of entertaining rallies. The French Open champion was more consisten and won 6-2, 6-3.

- The score does not tell the truth. It was a tough match and a very good win for me, Gaudio says.

Gaudio is full of respect for his opponent tomorrow.

- S�derling is playing incredibly well. I watched the third set against Chela and it was impressive, Gaudio said.

Stars Mariano Zabaleta and Fernando Gonzalez had to play on court 4 and 5 and could be watched without a ticket, something unique for quarterfinals in an ATP tournament. An inspired Zabaleta won 6-1, 6-2 against Alberto Martin. The defending champion has now won eight straight matches in B�stad, an impressive record. On Saturday, he will face Gonzalez, who won the South American battle against Juan Monaco 6-4, 6-4