Thursday, July 8, 2021
Wimbledon-off in the semifinals
The best in the world is very good for Gerber
Angelique Gerber plays big at the world’s most famous tennis tournament at Wimbledon. But the semifinals are over because the world number one Ashley Party is stronger than the best Germany.
Angelique Gerber fought frantically at every point, cheering himself on again and again and taking the crowd to center court – yet his exciting journey to Wimbledon was over. After another emotional fight, the dream of a second title fell on the sacred ground after 2018, when the world number one Ashley Party was very strong in the high class semifinals.
The three-time Grand Slam winner had to concede defeat 3: 6, 6: 7 (3: 7) and missed the third final in London. The party praised him in an even louder tone: “This is one of the best matches I’ve ever played. Angie got the best out of me.” The Australian said: “It’s a crazy match from the first rally.
The party reached the tennis classic final for the first time and will meet Arna Sabalenka (Belarus) or Carolina Bliskova (Czech Republic) on Saturday (3pm Chest / Sky). With his fourth semifinal at Wimbledon, Gerber will move up six places to 22nd in the world rankings next week.
The party starts like a master
Party and Gerber had already faced each other four times on the tour, and with a balanced balance they went to the first fight on the grass. Wohan won the Australian last comparison in 2018, but went into the game with great respect for the 25-year-old Gerber, who was eight years older.
“Angie’s biggest strength is that she runs, chases the ball, can neutralize my aggressive strokes and arms in awkward situations,” the party said – but the hinge girl quickly realized, that alone was not enough. When Gerber became a little more inactive, she found no ground with a strong forehand against the power and accuracy of the party, and immediately abandoned her first service game.
The German had to look for the number one attack and had to fight hard at every point because the party did not give her any gifts. The Australians also appeared to be very resilient in tricky situations – surpassing four of his five service games in the first set – and blocking Gerber’s three breaks. 34 minutes later, he captured the first round with one ace.
“Good Advertising for Women’s Tennis”
How dangerous Gerber is after the grass is forgotten in the first half of the season, he has only proven in the last three weeks. With ten wins in a row and a title at Bad Homberg, he advanced to his fourth semifinal on Church Road. The former world number one fought and cheered loudly, subduing the party’s unpleasant, deep backhand pieces nicely – and finding the most important boost to the second set with a 2-0 lead.
In a high-class competition, it was Gerber who drove the 2019 French Open winner in front of him and took the spectators to the center court, which he filled with his emotions. “Both players are at a very high level,” said former semifinalist Julia Corkus Sky: “This is a great advertisement for women’s tennis.”
The pace on Gerber’s side was clear – until he served to win the set and give the game to zero. Tension peaked at the tiebreak, but the hinge girl did not breathe after another heroic fight.
