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Powerful return: Argentina's Juan Monaco returns the ball against American Sam Querrey in the men's single semi-final of the Heineken Stars tourney in HCM City yesterday. Monaco won 7-6, 6-2. — VNS Photo Tien Thanh |
World No 42 Monaco stunned world No 21 American Sam Querrey in straight sets 7-6 (1), 6-2 while world No 19 Mardy Fish also defeated world No 35 Tommy Robredo in straight sets, 6-3, 7-6, (7-5).
"I am happy to be the winner today. I played very well and took advantage of Querrey's unforced errors," Monaco said.
"I have made many between-the-legs shots in my career and I am happy I could do it again here for Vietnamese fans. I just chased the ball and hit it but when I turned my head, I was surprised to see it went over the net," the Argentine said when asked about a wonderful shot in the second set.
"I am currently in 42nd place and I hope I to finish the year in the top 20," he said.
Querrey, who has won four ATP titles this year, said: "I served well today but made so many unforced errors while Monaco played great tennis today. He had very good forehands and backhands."
"The time change did not effect my loss because I felt good for the match," added Querrey, who will be aiming to end the year as American No 2.
Despite being an exhibition tournament, players showed off their world-class tennis skills. While Querrey boasted powerful serves, scoring 14 aces throughout the match, Monaco frequently blasted heavy forehands as well as accurate and fine-slice backhands into corners.
The first set went on serves when Querrey saved a breakpoint in the fourth game and Monaco did the same to save two breakpoints in the fifth game to force a first set tie break. Querrey made five unforced errors in the tie break to allow the Argentine to take the set with a volley winner.
The second set went to Monaco, who broke the fifth game to lead 3-2 and won his service game to expand the lead to 4-2 with effective attacks at the net and heavy forehands into the corners.
Monaco broke the seventh game with the most amazing shot of the match. When the score was at 30-15, Querrey sent a lob up and over Monaco. The Argentine sprinted to the baseline to hit the ball through his legs and took 3,000 fans by surprise.
Monaco easily won his service and the last game to take the second set at 6-2 to claim victory over Querrey. — VNS
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