PETE ZIEBRON in PHOENIX
Following his win over Richard Gasquet, Denis Kudla stated on court that "This is the toughest Challenger in the world." It is. Four former Top Ten players were in the draw - three played in the Quarterfinals on Friday and all three lost.
On a gorgeous 77F sunny day at the Phoenix Country Club, Denis Kudla opened play on Center Court with a 6-3 6-4 win over Frenchman Richard Gasquet. The American, who was born in Kiev, Ukraine, did not double fault all day, hit seven aces and saved the only break point against en route to victory.
Gasquet played competitive tennis throughout the match, however was distracted midway through the second set when an off-site garbage truck was doing its duty and creating a bit of a disturbance. Gasquet was serving at 30-0 and on serve in the set when the clanging of metal took place on and off for three minutes. The yellow clad Gasquet was clearly agitated, lost the next few points and crushed a ball out of Center Court, costing him a ball abuse warning. Kudla stood his ground and simply put balls back into play as the errors from Gasquet in this game led to the only break of the second set.
Kudla protected his serve all day and arrives in the semifinals without dropping a set in the tournament.
Next up, American JJ Wolf matched up with Spaniard Fernando Verdasco. Like Kudla, Wolf won his first two matches in straight sets.
Fernando Verdasco, 2010 (c) Tennis Acumen
Verdasco dropped the opening service game when a let cord winner by Wolf dropped just over the net. He glared at his box in disbelief and disgust, however was able to get the break back three games later to square the set at 2-all. That would be the only break he would manage as Wolf saved the next six the rest of the way.
Several long rallies throughout the match were on display as both players were digging deep. Wolf created his own break point opportunities and capitalized on a large one as Verdasco served to stay in the opening set. The Cincinnati native took the set, broke midway through the second set for the lead and concurrently staved off Verdasco's break point opportunities.
Gasquet and Verdasco played 15 times on the ATP Tour with Verdasco holding an 8-7 H2H mark. It appeared that these former top ten players would meet yet again. Kudla and Wolf would not be denied on this day and both arrive in the semifinals without dropping a set.
Later in the day, David Goffin, the third former top ten player to take Center Court on Friday, lost to Liam Broady of Great Britain. Broady will play Daniel Altmaier of Germany, who defeated Radu Albot of Moldova to close out the day session.
Three Alternates and Wild Card JJ Wolf comprise the Arizona Tennis Classic Semifinals. Four former top ten ATP players have been eliminated. Denis Kudla is a man of his word.
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