Medvedev, Fucsovics to meet in Sofia final

The Semi Finals were played in Bulgaria and the finalists determined.

Sofia Open in Sofia, Bulgaria.

Semi Finals

Matteo Berrettini v Marton Fucsovics 

Berrettini had chances in successive service games in set one, holding five break points in total. However, the Hungarian fended off each of these and actually created two set points when ahead 5-4 and facing the serve of Berrettini.  Under pressure, the Italian increased his aggression, especially from the forehand, and held for 5-5.

He then broke down the Fucsovics forehand and subsequently his serve.  The set when to Italy 7-5.

Both players seemed comfortable for much of set two, based on reliable serving, around 70% of points won when at the line.

In the ninth game Berrettini missed a backhand on a break point he had created, but Fucsovics produced two forehand winners when Berrettini was serving at 5-6 and 30-30.

Sets were split and a decider required.

Fucsovics jumped out quickly to 3-0 in the third set, and from there no further break points entered the contest, the match finished to Hungarian cheers.  Marton Fucsovics won his way into a second ATP final, 5-7 7-5 6-3.  The first final in Geneva last year generated a winners trophy, and Fucsovics will be hoping for two from two come Sunday.

Daniil Medvedev (3) v Gaël Monfils (7)

The opening set saw Medvedev hold serve, but rely more heavily on his second delivery than what he would prefer.  He won 11 of 17 points from his second tries.  In complete contrast  Monfils was a disaster when having to contribute a second serve, losing all 10 points when this occurred.  Medvedev was handed six break points largely because of this, and proceeded to win the set 6-2.

The Russian’s variation, particularly in terms of pace of shot, didn’t put Monfils off his game to the same extent in set two, and the Frenchman finally found ways to compete successfully with Medvedev.

Too late though, and despite breaking back once, Monfils couldn’t manage to break back a necessary second time and Medvedev won 6-2 6-4.

The third seed improved his 2019 to 10-2, only losses being to Nishikori in Brisbane and to Djokovic in the AO.