Gilles Simon overcame a fast start by Paul-Henri Mathieu to prevail 3-6 6-2 6-1 to move into the quarter finals of the Millennium Estoril Open.
Mathieu took the match to Simon from the outset. Despite having to save a break point in the first game, Mathieu controlled many rallies through aggressive flat hitting on both wings. He broke for 4-2 and hit the shot of the match in the next game, a running flat forehand down the line that took him to 5-2. The set was his two games later, again on a clubbed forehand.
In tennis, small margins often make the difference. At the start of the second set, Mathieu appeared to become marginally less aggressive and also started to miss; at the same time, Simon was able to select the ball to hit and push Mathieu behind the baseline. The result was an immediate break and Simon jumped out to a 3-0 lead. He would break a second time to take the set 6-2.
By now, the pattern of the match had become established. If Mathieu could stay aggressive and make more shots than he missed, he would have a good chance of winning. Anything less, and the match would be Simon’s. Accordingly, it was critical for Mathieu to hold his serve at the beginning of the third set. When he didn’t – and sent the ball careering toward the main scoreboard in frustration – the match was effectively over. Simon broke a second time for 5-1 and served out the match to love.
Simon will play Pablo Carreno Busta in the quarter finals on Friday. It will be their first meeting.
The day’s last match sees Leonardo Mayer take on Paolo Lorenzi for the right to face Nicolas Almagro in the quarter finals.
