Thursday, 26 January 2017

Peers and Kontinen in doubles semis

Men's doubles followed the Nadal quarter final win, and Australian pair Sam Groth and Chris Guccione played a quarter final against fourth seeds John Peers (Australia) and Henri Kontinen (Finland).

Peers served first and the team held easily.  Guccione served next and down 15-30 recovered to tie it at 1-1, a Groth volley winner the sealer.
A Kontinen ace highlighted a love game for 2-1
2-2 following a quick hold from Groth.

No one troubled on serve and Peers rolled through another game to take his team to 3-2.  A Kontinen volley took the score to 30-30 on the next Guccione serve and a Peers volley split the other Aussies on court to bring up break point.
A big serve saved it and an ace won the game for 3-3.

A backhand return winner from Groth could not prevent Kontinen holding for 4-3 and Groth continued the trend despite an incredible backhand pick up volley crosscourt from Peers.
5-5 came with big Guccione serving and Kontinen took it to 6-5 with a love game. 

Groth served to stay in the set.  A great volley from Peers won the first point and then Groth mishit a volley into the net.  A forehand from Kontinen forced an error and three set points.  The set was won with a love game and the fourth seeds were ahead 7-5.

Set two and serves were held for five games, Peers and Kontinen leading 3-2.
Guccione served in the sixth game and had 30-0 with a Groth volley put away.  A brilliant return from Kontinen produced an error from Guccione and 30-15.  Another from Peers gave Groth no room and 30-30.  Same again from Kontinen and break point.  A volley exchange ended with Guccione hitting one long.
4-2 with the break and the fourth seeds were flying.

At 5-3 Peers served for the match.  A great Guccione return set up a point finally won with a Groth overhead.  However that was the last point won by the pair and the match was won 7-5 6-3 by the fourth seeds Peers and Kontinen.

They won through to a semi final to play Australian pair Polmans and Whittington.

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