Luxembourg’s Gilles Muller has denied Viktor Troicki a chance of winning his third consecutive Sydney title after beating the Serbian 6-3, 7-6(6), in the semifinals.
The World No.34 utilised his blistering serve to his advantage by hammering 16 aces throughout the match. A tentative opening service game from Troicki secured Muller’s match lead as he broke to race to 3-0. The margin was enough to secure the first set with the defending champion failing to find a way to break Muller’s serve.
A familiar storyline occurred in the second set. Twice Troicki had the opportunity to break his opponent, but he failed to convert. As both men stood firm in their service games, the second set went into a crucial tiebreak. Breaking twice on route to his first match point, Muller was then given a test of his own medicine after an error allowed Troicki to work his way back to level 6-6. Despite the comeback from the third seed, Muller held his nerve to close it out 8-6 with the help of an ace to secure the win.
“It feels great, when I came here I wasn’t expecting very much because I didn’t play very well in Brisbane, I wasn’t feeling great,” said Muller.
“I was expecting to have one or two more matches before the Aussie Open and I’m in the final so it’s a great feeling.”
Muller’s win has prevented Troicki the chance of becoming the first man in the Open Era to win the Sydney title three years in a row. The achievement comes just two days after the Luxembourg player admitted that he was tempted to withdraw during his second round match as he struggled to cope with the heat. Once again the Sydney conditions bothered him on Friday, but he was able to cope thanks to his trusted serve.
“I served very well today, especially in the crucial moments when I was down break points with 30-all. I always managed to serve a first big serve,” Muller said.
“It helped me a lot. Especially in the second set when I was also starting to struggle a little bit with the heat. In those pressure moments, the serve was there. That’s what got me through.”
At the age of 33, Muller will be bidding to win his maiden ATP Tour title after settling for runner-up on five previous occasions. A title would be the icing on the cake for a player who made his main draw grand slam debut at the 2004 Australian Open. Nevertheless, Muller is refusing to get caught up in the moment.
“I don’t know if (that record is) gonna change. I mean, I’m trying to focus on myself,” Muller said.
“I’m trying to recover well and to be really fit for tomorrow for that match. And then just play my game. Just try to go out there and enjoy it.
“When I think about it, I could have been out in the first round. I saved match points in the first round (against Dolgopolov). I think I’m lucky to be there. I’m just trying to enjoy that moment and then see what happens.”
In the final Muller will play either Great Britain’s Dan Evans or Russia’s Andrey Kuznetsov.
