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10/23/11 12:17 AM | Ricky Dimon
Gael Monfils storms back from a considerable deficit to defeat Milos Raonic on Saturday in Stockholm. Monfils will go up against Jarkko Nieminen for the title.
Gael Monfils battled back from a set and a break down to beat Milos Raonic 6-7(6), 6-4, 6-3 in a semifinal showdown at the If Stockholm Open on Saturday afternoon. Monfils struck four aces and won 55 percent of his second-serve return points to advance after two hours and nine minutes.
A tense first set saw a total of five break points saved--three by Raonic, two by Monfils--en route to a tiebreaker. Raonic erased a deficit in the 'breaker with two straight mini-breaks at 4-5 and 5-5, but Monfils saved set point with a backhand pass. After taking care of his next service point, Raonic clinched the opening frame of play on a forehand error from his opponent.
With momentum in hand, the 20-year-old Canadian seemed to take complete control with a quick break in the second. Raonic fought off one break point to consolidate the lead for 4-2, but that's when it started to fall apart. Out of nowhere, Monfils seized two consecutive breaks to steal the set and force a third.
Having squandered an opportunity to seal the deal in straights, Raonic could not keep pace in the decider. The world No. 29 held his first two service games, but Monfils capitalized on his third break chance at 3-2 with a winning backhand volley. Monfils, who gave back breaks twice while trying to close out Kevin Anderson on Friday, made no mistake this time. The 10th-ranked Frenchman lost only one point in his final two service games to clinch victory.
Monfils will go up against Jarkko Nieminen in a clash between two players who have struggled mightily in ATP title matches throughout their careers. Nieminen is 1-9 lifetime in finals while Monfils is just 3-11.
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