atptennis.com
July 16, 2024

In a rollercoaster-like Spanish battle, including ten breaks of serve, No. 11 seed David Ferrer overcame No. 14 seed Rafael Nadal 6-3, 6-7(3), 7-5. Ferrer served for the match at 5-4 in the second set but Nadal broke back and then won the tie-break to level at one set all. In the final set Nadal was 5-3 up and served for the match at 5-4, holding three match points at 40-0. However, Ferrer turned around the match once again, winning the next four games in a row to seal victory after two hours and 26 minutes.

No. 2 seed Gaston Gaudio scored a comprehensive 6-4, 6-3 victory against No. 5 seed Jiri Novak. The Argentinean stormed to a 5-1 lead in the first set before the Czech fought his way back into the match. At 2-3 in the second set Gaudio again proved his good form by closing out the match, winning the last four games.

No. 15 seed Nikolay Davydenko advanced to his second semifinal of the season by recording his first career win over No.12 seed Albert Costa. The 23-year-old Russian, who won the title in Munich (d. Martin Verkerk) earlier this year, needed one hour and 30 minutes to record a 6-3, 6-4 victory. Davydenko makes his second appearance at the Mercedes Cup. He lost to Filippo Volandri in the third round in 2003.

Guillermo Canas defeated Radek Stepanek in straight sets 6-4, 6-4, reaching his third semifinals in three attempts at the MercedesCup. The Argentine didn�t face a single break point all match.

WHAT THE PLAYERS SAID:

Gaudio: "It was tough, I played against him in the French Open. I knew it was going to be hard but I managed to win finally."

About player Ferrer: "It is going to be tough for sure. He was playing great today, I saw him a bit of him playing Nadal. He was playing an unbelievable match. In a semifinals of a tournament like this it is going to be tough."

Ferrer: "I am really happy about this win because it�s was a very tight match."

"The match was very unusual, it turned around so many times. I was serving for the mach at 5-4 in the second set but he won it 7-6. In the third, it was his turn to be up and serve for the match at 5-4 having three match points."

"Two of these match points I played them very well. The third one he maybe felt a bit pressured, and made a mistake by trying a drop shot, it�s difficult to say."

"Now I feel a bit tired, it was the hottest day here in Stuttgart so far. I�m really looking towards the semifinals."

Davydenko: "It was a difficult match, I just focused on winning every point. He played well from the baseline. I had difficulties winning my serve, it was easier to break back. I tried to fight for every point."

"It was my first win against him, I lost to him in Paris and in Monte Carlo. He is a difficult player to play. It�s good for me being in the semifinals in a German tournament again."

Canas: "After such a long time without having a good result, I am very happy to be in the semifinals here in Stuttgart."

"I am very happy with my game at the moment, playing such a good level of tennis."

"I know Davydenko has been playing pretty good.It�ll be a tough match, but hopefully I can win and be in the final again."