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Form favors Lu, but the Czech has luck on his side

Rosol managed to reach the semifinal having played practically just a single match. Yesterday was supposed to be his toughest test against Isner, but the American gave up due to injury. Lu won his second match in a row without losing his serve, not even Seppi could touch him

The US Open series of tournaments is slowly winding down, and New York is starting next week. We saw a few not too motivated players this week, others unwilling to risk injury, and Lu was among those that left the best impression. Although playing through his sixth week now, he improved his game with each new tournament, and got to his third ATP semifinal this season.

- Every player dreams of winning an ATP tournament, I know I have for a very long time, but I still have a long way to go- said the player from Taipei, and his hopes probably grew the moment Isner gave up his quarterfinal match.

Although he limited Granollers to just three games, he was not the one to credit for that, as the Spaniard was not his usual self, with many slice shots, and did not look like a player who wants to stay at Winston-Salem. Seppi definitely appeared to be a better test of Lu's abilities, as the Italian has been looking for a better result for a long while. In the end, he was decisively beaten as well.

Lu started with pressure from the outset, missing his first chance but taking a break in the third game. At 3-2 he saved two break points and continued holding on to his serve the rest of the set. He opened the second one with a break, and continued holding his serve equally well. In the end he saved all five break points and won his second match in a row without losing his serve. Regardless of how poor the Italian's form may have been, that was not an easy feat to achieve, as Seppi rarely ends a match without a break.

- My serve helped a lot this time. With 30-30 or at deuces I still somehow managed to serve well. I'm filled with confidence, especially when my serve works so well- said Lu after his victory, and is now facing a much more aggressive player:

- Rosol is a very powerful player. I remember our indoors match last year. I played very well back then, but these are different conditions. He won a few matches and is in form, so my goal is simple: holding on to my serve and waiting for my chance on the return.

As for the Czech, he was really lucky here. He was free in the first round, and then Harrison surrendered after winning the first set. Then came Andujar, always a welcome opponent on concrete, and just when he was supposed to face a true, tough opponent, he once again advanced with no contest. Isner decided to cancel due to injury:

- I'm very disappointed that I have to withdraw from the tournament. I'd love to chase my third title here, but my left ankle just hurts too much, and this was the only option.


In order to get to the semifinal of this tournament, one had to win four matches, unless you were one of the seeds. Rosol played only one complete match to get into the semifinal. Although we don't know his potential or form this week, he's had good experiences with ATP semifinals. of the four played so far he lost only one, to Haas in the third set tie break. Lu only just managed to get to his first ATP semifinal this season. He is playing well, but sometimes that is not enough against Rosol. The Czech definitely has no fatigue issues, as the tournament has practically just started for him.