MOUILLERON-LE-CAPTIF, October 8, 2021
Norbert Gombos reached his second semi-final of the season at the €66,640 Open de Vendée held at the Vendespace Arena in Mouilleron-Le-Captif in France. The World No. 115 from Slovakia rallied past Dennis Novak of Austria 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 on Friday evening.
Gombos, who made it into the stage of the final four in Prague in early May, fired 17 aces and won 75 per cent of his first-service points to secure victory in one hour and 32 minutes.
View this post on Instagram
“I am really about the win, as Dennis is a tough opponent,” Gombos said. “Last time we played against each other I lost. He is a great player. I was feeling good. I lost the first set but still I didn’t lost my confidence and focus. I tried my best, served well today and I am happy about my game.”
The No. 8 seed will next take on Mats Rosenkranz. The 23-year-old German qualifier will appear in his first semi-final at Challenger level following a hard-fought 6-7(3), 6-3, 7-6(4) win over No. 6 seed Pierre-Hugues Herbert from France after two hours and two minutes.
In other action, second seed Jiri Vesely benefited from the retirement of Mats Moraing from Germany. The World No. 84 from the Czech Republic was leading 4-1 in the opening set when Moraing was forced to stop playing due to injury.
“Of course I am a bit disappointed for Mats and his injury,” Vesely said. “There is not much to say about the match. He wasn’t feeling great from the beginning. It was obvious. It is never easy to play against a guy, who is injured. I just tried to play my game and unfortunately the match ended this way but I am happy to be in the semis.”
Vesely will next face Italian veteran and No. 4 seed Andreas Seppi, who battled past Frenchman Quentin Halys 2-6, 7-6(6), 6-3. The encounter lasted one hour and 52 minutes.
View this post on Instagram
