Kyle Edmund is the first semi-finalist at the ATP World Tour 500 tournament in Vienna: The Briton defeated Jan-Lennard Struff in two sets.
By Jens Huiber from Vienna
Kyle Edmund knows all about pistol launches in the last few days. And also getting into more trouble when it comes to making a match. As against Dennis Novak in the previous round, the Briton had a break in his quarter-final against Jan-Lennard Struff in the first two sets. And again, the 22-year-old struggled hard at the end before his 6-2,7-5 win was decided.
To speak of a hangover mood in Vienna would of course be exaggerated despite the departure of both Austrians, but on a Friday at 1 p. m. a full hall can only be expected if Roger Federer meets Dominic Thiem. Optionally in Basel or Vienna. The golden autumn weather of the national holiday, however, did not last; the fans had to struggle with wind and rain on their way to the Stadthalle in Vienna.
Jan-Lennard Struff, the German Davis Cup hero, especially with himself. After 21 minutes, the Warsteiner was faced with Edmund’s first three set points, also due to the two double errors Struff had offered at 1:5. That Edmund had to take the opening set home with his own service, and did so with an ace, could have been a sign of improvement from Struff’s point of view.
Both players had been challenged over the full distance on Thursday, and Struff had repayed Albert Ramos-Vinolas for his recent defeat in Shanghai. Carsten Arriens, former captain of the German Davis Cup team, and his protégé came to the Vienna Stadthalle with his protégé – Struff had only travelled to Kitzbühel with his physiotherapist.
In the second set Struff went into the lead for the first time, but had to accept an early break again, a backhand passers-ball Edmunds fixed the 2:1 from the British point of view. And that was enough for Edmund again – the Briton showed himself inviolable on his own serve. Up to a score of 5:4, when Struff used his very first break chance in the whole match. Edmund, however, immediately struck back, restored the break lead and served with a slight tremor.
And now it’s definitely a Frenchman – either Lucas Pouille or Richard Gasquet, who said goodbye to Dominic Thiem on Thursday.
Here the single tableau in Vienna