Sarasota Open quarterfinals were almost perfectly symmetrical today.
Eliot Spizzirri continued is ascent up the rankings with a 64 64 win vs. Geoffrey Blancaneaux. The French stylist with a nice two-hander ripped a stunning one-handed backhand running winner cross court at 1-1 game point for Spizzirri, the kind of super shot you think could be a momentum changer. But Blancaneaux lost the next three points and the game. The entertaining, competitive duel was eventually won by the top seed. Lucky Loser Blancaneaux said after he had to play two extra matches than the American, in qualies and felt tired at the end.
Federico Gomez looks like the strongest player in the ATP and the biggest hitter. He’s a home run hitter with his forehand. He slugged away at the Romanian counter puncher Filip Jianu and prevailed in a hard fought first set 64. Jiamu is one of those moaners and complainers always talking to himself between points but in a negative tone. He may be the most talkative player in the ATP that I’ve ever seen. Second set Gomez bageled the same guy he beat in the Milan Challenger final last summer.
Liam Draxl of Ontario, Canada is showing a ferocity and desire that stands out from the pack. This 23 year old ex Kentucky Wildcat edged out another tight win 75 76 vs. Andres Andrade. It was Draxl’s animated desire that seemed the difference.
75 76 was also the score of the other QF with American Emilio Nava nipping Chile’s Tomas Barrios Vera, who topped Michael Mmoh yesterday in three sets. 23 year old Nava, ranked 169, turned pro in 2018. He will play Spizzirri tomrrow, the second semi after Gomez vs. Draxl.
Nava delivered a memorably painful defeat to 23 year old Spizzirri in their only previous meeting at US Open 2023 qualies third round 63 36 31 ret.
This will be the first Gomez vs. Draxl clash.
Eliot Spizzirri · Emilio Nava · Federico Gomez · Liam Draxl
