Tour veteran Michael Berrer backtracked on a decision to retire last season, and this year he seems as good as he has ever been, with a strong display in Montpellier last week backed up with a least a quarter-final showing in Bergamo. He found tough going today though, as compatriot and qualifier Nils Langer gave him a scare, though Berrer eventually won 6-7, 7-6, 7-5.
Langer had done well to take the first set on a tiebreak before Berrer edged the second in similar fashion. Cue a topsy-turvy final set, with Berrer going ahead first, before Langer broke back then appeared to be in a winning position. Finally Berrer recovered, and won late in third.
There was a winning qualifier though, as Gregoire Barrere defeated Farrukh Dustov. Barrer had saved match points in his first round meeting with Dzimitry Zhrymont. None were required against Dustov, though the Uzbek did manage to claim the second set. Barrere however, rallied to break twice in the third, winning 6-3, 1-6, 6-3.
Aldin Setkic followed his impressive win over Dustin Brown with another victory, this time over Tristan Lamasine. Setkic proved strong on serve in sets one and three, and poor in the second set, and the correlation between that statistic and the eventual outcome of those sets was huge. Setkic won 6-3, 3-6, 6-4.
Hiroki Moriya and Marton Fucsovics ensured that all second round matches on Thursday went the distance, as they played out a 7-6, 2-6, 7-6 win for Moriya. Like Setkic and Barrere, Moriya endured a tough second set but edged the first and third, proving that a blip in form is not game ending if you can limit it to one set.
Friday quarter-final draw and picks:
Marco Chiudinelli vs Gregoire Barrerre: Chiudinelli may be an alternate, but he has beaten Quentin Halys and Konstantin Krachuk to get to the quarter-finals, a fine achievement. Moriya struggled against Fucsovics in the last round. Winner: Chuidinelli in straight sets.
Aldin Setkic vs Egor Gerasimov: This is rather unknown territory for Setkic, and Gerasimov picked up his Challenger title towards the end of last season. Setkic was responsible for Dustin Brown’s exit, though at this level Brown is normally the architect of his own victory or downfall, and he certainly gave Setkic a helping hand. Gerasimov meanwhile, defeated Nikoloz Basilashvili, and Igor Sijsling, both men with significant pedigree. For that reason Gerasimov is my pick. Winner: Gerasimov in straight sets.
Peter Gojowczyk vs Pierre-Hugues Herbert: Gojowczyk had made an excellent start to the tournament by beating top seed Yuki Bhambri. However, he was pushed in the second round by Andrey Kuznetsov and Herbert is a step even beyond the Russian. For that reason, Herbert must be my favourite for this match. Winner: Herbert in straight sets.
Gregoire Barrere vs Michael Berrer: Incredibly given that it is only the quarter-finals, Berrer is the only seed left standing. He was hard pushed by Nils Langer in the second round and will face another qualifier in the quarter-finals. Barrere struggled at times in each of his matches, particularly in the first round, and there will be no room for error against a veteran with regular ATP experience. I do not think that Barrere can sustain a long-term consisten game-plan. A good run that will end here for the young Frenchman. Winner: Berrer in straight sets.
