Robredo into semi-finals
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ByEurosport
Published 30/04/2004 at 13:38 GMT
Spanish eighth seed Tommy Robredo books his place in the semi-finals with victory Chilean fifth seed Fernando Gonzalez 4-6 7-5 7-6 (7-2) on another rain affected day at the Barcelona Open on Friday. The 21-year-old from Hostalric faces either Fernando Gon
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The match was a gripping battle of wills, as Robredo, cheered on by an enthusiastic home crowd, made a confident start and took charge of the court early in the first set.
An initially tentative Gonzalez gradually found his form, though, breaking Robredo's serve at 4-4 and going on to take the set 6-4 as his eighth-seeded opponent lost his focus.
The Chilean then powered his way to a 5-4 lead in the second set, with his serve unbroken, only to lose his concentration when serving for the match.
A determined Robredo clawed his way back to take the set 7-5 by breaking a tense Gonzalez's serve twice.
The Spaniard started the third set strongly but Gonzalez turned the match around once again as he pulled level under a light rain that eventually forced tournament organisers to halt the match with the scoreboard at 3-3.
The break was welcome for Robredo, who had begun to look as if his efforts during the second set were taking a toll.
He returned to the court refreshed, and with enough energy to claim an easy 7-2 victory in the final tiebreak.
Argentine Gaston Gaudio was gifted his spot in the semi-finals, when his Brazilian opponent Gustavo Kuerten, a former world number one, retired at 6-3 6-7 (5-7) 1-2 down.
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