ATP Halle – Men’s Friday Preview

Milos Raonic vs. Philipp Petzschner

Germany's Philipp Petzschner beat Spaniard Daniel Gimeno-Traver to advance for the second time in quarter-finals of Gerry Weber Open in Halle.

"I shall try to get a video tape of his match. I want to study where he prefers to serve", said the German after the match showing a lot of desire to advance even further.

Petzschner was the first player who was happy that Federer isn’t in the draw because now “the draw is wide open”. He looks in good form but the key of the match will be his retrieving. The Canadian served his way through the quarter-finals, 14 aces against Kamke and 90% points won with the first serve. Hard to break Raonic serve when he is on serving mode. Petzcschner has the game to take this one, he slices a lot on backhand wing and the bounce will be low, he also has a powerful serve of his own to win free points and has good net game.

The German looks motivated and is in good form but all will stay how well will read Canadian’s serve, hard to go against Raonic especially that now the grass is duller.

Lleyton Hewitt vs. Philipp Kohlschreiber

Defending champion Lleyton Hewitt continued his superb play beating Andreas Seppi in straight sets to reach the quarter-finals. Solid match of the Australian who had knew what to expect from Seppi and looked always with a step up front. His serve still needs to be improved when he faces the most difficult challenge so far, Philipp Kohlschreiber who also showed a solid display on court.

The German served well during the match and hold easily his games, he didn’t faced a break point the entire match and won 86% points behind the serve. It will be an interesting meeting, Hewitt doesn’t play at the same level as last year when he won against Federer while Kohlschreiber came in poor form in Halle.

 

Overall the Aussie has a better suited grass court game but the German has wins over Blake, Soderling or Haas in Halle and if he will once more be on serving mode will be harder for the Aussie to create chances. A match which can go easily either way.

Viktor Troicki vs. Berdych Tomas

Berdych needed 1 hour 47 minutes and four match points to finish off Hernych. But he failed to impress as the Czech showed only in stages what he is capable of doing on the court. Should Berdych not improve his game, he may have real difficulties against Troicki. He looks impressive on court and his serve is the main asset against Berdych, the Serbian served well so far.

Both are big servers and tough baseliners but the Czech hit more accurate and can change the pace of the balls easily, the Serbian counts too much on serve and forehand wing and if Berdych will retrieve well will force Troicki to be more decisive on court. It’s announce as another tough game for Berdych, but the Czech found a way to win against Bemelmans and Hernych and that will bring confidence in his game.

Gael Monfils vs. Florian Mayer

Third seeded Gael Monfils never struggled in reaching the quarter-finals in his straight sets win over Dodig. He started very aggressive, it was 4-0 in the first set with the Frenchman losing only 2 points. Had his usual down and Dodig made the break but after that Monfils never looked back.

“I feel good. I’m serving good and moving good. I’m doing good adjusting my movements to grass. I am quite happy with my game. I was aggressive and it was a good start on the grass”, said Monfils.

Mayer had a much difficult match with Lu, it was a much demanding match with both players playing aggressive and showing some good rallies, the German lost his serve once while he had broke Lu’ serve once. Mayer struggled on returns today but he served well on his own.

Monfils has the better serve and hit with more power, he also moves well on court and will catch a lot of balls, he stays solid in long rallies.

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