ATP Montpellier: Vasek Pospisil edges David Goffin, facing Gael Monfils in the final

Using protected ranking to enter the main draw, former world no. 25 Vasek Pospisil is through to the first ATP final since 2014 in Montpellier, ousting the 2nd seed David Goffin 6-3, 1-6, 7-5 in two hours and 21 minutes. The Canadian won only one point more than the Belgian, sharing the opening two sets and battling hard in the decider until the closing stages when Vasek prevailed for his best result since a back injury. Pospisil got broken three times from six chances offered to Goffin, creating 11 opportunities on the return and seizing three to stay in touch, coming from the verge of defeat in the final set to cross the finish line first and stay on the title course. The Canadian forced an error from the Belgian in the fourth game to forge an early lead, fending off break chances in the next game and closing the opener at 5-3 when David sprayed a forehand error.

Goffin fended off break chances at the beginning of the second set and grabbed the momentum, serving well in the remaining three games and finding the range on the return as well to earn breaks in games two and six and move 5-1 in front. Serving for the set, David fired a service winner for a 6-1, looking good to grab the win from there. He repelled three break chances in the second game of the final set and moved closer to the finish line when Vasek netted an easy forehand to lose serve at 4-4. Serving for the victory, the Belgian got broken at 15 following a forehand down the line winner from the Canadian who never looked back, holding at love in game 11 and sealing the deal with the second consecutive break a few minutes later for a massive celebration. The two-time Montpellier champion Gael Monfils is through to his 30th ATP final, beating Filip Krajinovic 7-6 6-2 in an hour and 22 minutes.

Gael fired 12 aces and erased all three break points he faced, breaking the resistance of his opponent in the second set to march into the final and closer to his ninth ATP crown. The Frenchman saved two break points in the very first game with winners, avoiding an early setback and staying in touch with Krajinovic who was the better player in the opener ahead of the tie break where he forged a 4-2 advantage. Staying focused, Monfils rattled off the next five points, clinching the set with a backhand winner at 6-4 and gaining a massive boost ahead of set number two. There, he saved a break chance in the second game and grabbed a break in the next game with a backhand down the line winner that sent him in front. Gael confirmed a break with an ace in the fourth game, forcing an error from Filip at 4-2 for another break and emerging at the top with a nice hold in the eighth game to become the tenth active player with at least 30 ATP finals.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2UBDK3q