David Goffin: 'Roger Federer is amazing on grass but will try to beat him'
After more than four and a half years, David Goffin had to drop out from the top-30 after Roland Garros, never finding the form in the last year or so. Since Barcelona 2018, the Belgian was the semi-finalist on the Tour only three times and went to Halle following the quarter-final run in s-Hertogenbosch and he has finally found the winning formula in Germany, beating Matteo Berrettini 7-6, 6-3 in an hour and 37 minutes.
Thus, Goffin is through to his 12th ATP final and the first since the ATP Finals in 2017, seeking the first trophy since Tokyo that year after a rock-solid win over the rival who had won eight straight matches on grass and the title in Stuttgart before this clash.
The Italian was the player to beat in the last two weeks, holding in 92 out of 94 holds and giving his best against the more experienced rival as well, only to come short in the decisive moments to propel Goffin over the top.
Goffin fended off all three break points he faced, hitting 21 winners and 20 unforced errors to stay in touch with a dangerous rival who blasted 28 winners and 25 mistakes, with both playing on a very high level. Berrettini landed 14 aces but his second serve let him down a little bit, playing against six break chances and getting broken once that cost him the match.
The encounter kicked off with five good holds on both sides before Berrettini created two break chances at 3-2 when Goffin netted an easy forehand. The Belgian repelled both with some strong hitting and brought the game home with an ace that kept him on the positive side of the scoreboard.
Serving at 5-5, Berrettini fired a booming serve to save a break point and bring the tie break where he forced an error from David to move 4-3 up. Out of sudden, the Belgian landed two deep returns that forced mistakes from the Italian and closed the set with a volley winner at 6-4, rattling off the last four points for a vast momentum ahead of set number two.
In the sixth game, Matteo fought off three break chances, landing an ace for a pivotal hold that leveled the score for him at 3-3. This could have proved to be even more important when he earned a break point in the next game, denied with another good attack from Goffin who grabbed the first break of the match a few minutes later to move 5-3 in front.
Serving for the triumph, David delivered three service winner in the ninth game to seal the deal and advance into the first ATP final in more than a year and a half where he will face Roger Federer. The Swiss has won seven of the previous eight meetings with the Belgian and David is motivated to change that and topple the great rival on his favorite surface.
"It's an amazing feeling. I have worked hard in the last few months and it is paying off now," said Goffin. "We all know how good Roger is on grass. He is incredible, but I will try to be ready to beat him."
from Tennis World USA http://bit.ly/2ZHGSu2
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