ATP Cologne 2: Diego Schwartzman edges Felix Auger-Aliassime to set Zverev clash

Competing as the top-10 player for the first time, Diego Schwartzman is through to his tenth ATP final in Cologne. The Argentine defeated the last week's Cologne finalist Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 in two hours and 31 minutes, beating the Canadian in their first clash on the Tour. They both won 92 points and Schwartzman grabbed those points that counted the most, fending off eight out of 11 break chances and converting four out of five opportunities on the return to cross the finish line and join Zverev in the first all-top 10 ATP 250 final since Istanbul 2017. The opening set saw ten quick games with no deuces, and it was Diego who had the upper hand, scoring an early break and dropping four points behind the initial shot. Felix sprayed a forehand error in the first game to suffer an early break, hitting another forehand wide in game two and allowing Diego to confirm the advantage. Auger-Aliassime got his name on the scoreboard with a service winner in game three before Schwartzman held at love after a lucky net cord for a 3-1 lead.

Finding his rhythm, the youngster produced a hold at love in the fifth game to stay in contention, still not doing much on the return as the Argentine held with a service winner on the second serve top open a 4-2 gap. Schwartzman closed the eighth game in under two minutes to remain in front, serving for the set at 5-4. The Argentine closed the opener with three winners, landing a perfect forehand down the line to seal the first part of the match in 39 minutes. The second set offered eight break chances, and it was Auger-Aliasime who found the way to impose his strokes and gain control.

Diego Schwartzman is through to his tenth ATP final in Cologne.

Schwartzman grabbed a break in the third game and opened a 5-3 advantage, looking good to seal the deal soon after that. With no room for errors, Auger-Aliassime held with a backhand winner to reduce the deficit, forcing his rival to serve for the triumph.

Having little troubles behind the initial shot up to that point, Diego suffered a break to keep Felix alive, sending the momentum to the other side of the court. The youngster grabbed another break at 6-5 with a forehand winner to steal the set and force a decider, mighty relieved after rattling off four consecutive games. They traded breaks in the decider's opening games, and Schwartzman secured another one when Auger-Aliassime placed a forehand long in game three. Serving at 4-3, Diego fended off two break points and closed it with a forehand winner, having to play against two more break opportunities at 5-4. Remaining calm, the Argentine saved those and sealed the deal with a forehand down the line winner to join Alexander Zverev in the title match.

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