Help
1/13/11 7:28 PM | Ricky Dimon
Final berths will be at stake on Friday in Auckland. David Nalbandian is going up against Nicolas Almagro while top-seeded David Ferrer has a date with Santiago Giraldo.
(6) David Nalbandian vs. (2) Nicolas Almagro
Nalbandian and Almagro will be squaring off for the fifth time in their careers when they do battle in the semifinals of the Heineken Open on Friday. The head-to-head series is tied up at 2-2, although Nalbandian won their only hard-court encounter 6-4, 6-4 at the 2007 Paris Masters. Following two Almagro victories, Nalbandian won their most recent clash 6-3, 6-4 two years ago on the clay courts of Barcelona.
The 27th-ranked Argentine has been in outstanding form this week, taking out Fabio Fognini, Philipp Petzschner, and defending champion John Isner all in straight sets. Almagro earned a first-round bye as the No. 2 seed and followed up with wins over Victor Hanescu and Adrian Mannarino. The 14th-ranked Spaniard needed more than two hours to get past Mannrino while Nalbandian has been crusing. Look for the No. 6 seed to advance in two tight sets.
(1) David Ferrer vs. Santiago Giraldo
Ferrer is bidding for his second triumph in Auckland, having captured the title in 2007. So far so good for this week's No. 1 seed. After a first-round bye, he fought off both Tobias Kamke and 2008 winner Philipp Kohlschreiber in three sets.
Up next for the seventh-ranked Spaniard is Giraldo, who has taken out Daniel Gimeno-Traver, Albert Montanes, and Thomaz Bellucci so far this week. The 23-year-old Colombian is already building on a stellar 2010 campaign. He reached the Brisbane quarterfinals last week with wins over Gilles Simon and Benjamin Becker. Giraldo should keep this close, but count on Ferrer reaching the final.
Find the latest tennis odds at Unibet.com
Tell a friend »
Scan QR code to access Unibet mobile.
Bet on Sports wherever you are and whenever you like, with Unibet's quick and simple mobile client you can place bets, check results and see live odds.
For more info about QR codes & scanners click here.
Contact us
/ About us
/ Cookies
/ Recommended links
/ Advertise
/ Sitemap
Tennistalk v1.5.0
Disclaimer © 2001-2012, Moneytainment Media Ltd - All rights reserved
Ferrer was pretty ferocious through the last 2 games of the match. Should be a great final.
smr , 1/14/11 3:16 AM