Generali Open Kitzbühel: Filip Misolic makes a sensational entry into the semi-finals
Filip Misolic surprisingly made it into the semi-finals of the Generali Open 2022 in Kitzbühel. The 20-year-old from Styria won against Dusan Lajovic from Serbia 2: 6, 7: 6 (5) and 6: 3.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: Jul 29, 2022, 01:34 pm
The hope of an Austrian home win is alive: Because Filip Misolic is sensationally in the semi-finals of the Generali Open 2022 in Kitzbühel. Misolic already looked like the certain loser against Dusan Lajovic, but fought back in the second set after falling behind. And won after a playing time of 2:22 hours with 2:6, 7:6 (5) and 6:3.
After losing the first set, Misolic quickly had to give up his serve in the second round, but stayed close to Lajovic. In the seventh game alone, the outsider got three brilliant drop shots. The Serbian Davis Cup player recognized the danger and acted more offensively again. But when the score was 5: 4, he felt the pressure from Filip Misolic - and the crowd. Because suddenly it was 0:40. And Misolic actually used the third break chance with a backhand longline shot to re-break. And Lajovic showed nerves, saved himself in the tie-break after defending against two set balls.
In the short decision, Misolic managed the first mini-break, at 4: 2 the sides were changed for the first time. Lajovic managed to make it 4:5, but Misolic got the first set ball with a passing ball played as a half-volley. After 140 minutes it was clear: a third set was needed.
And then Misolic started ambitiously and immediately took the lead with a break. In the eighth game, Lajovic knocked again for a break, Misolic parried. A few moments later, a forehand hit Dusan Lajovic's field - first match point for Filip Misolic. And the outsider used that.
For Misolic, the win against Lajovic was just the start of a double shift. Because later Yannick Hanfmann is still waiting, who roughly ended Dominic Thiem's dream of the second title in Kitzbühel. Before that, however, the first finalist will be determined on the center court: in a purely Spanish duel between Albert Ramos-Vinolas and Roberto Bautista Agut. Ramos-Vinolas was in the final in the Gamsstadt in 2019, Bautista Agut started the Generali Open as the highest-ranked player after the cancellations of Casper Ruud and Matteo Berrettini.
Here is the individual tableau in Kitzbühel
kitzmap