Top seed Gaultier roars past Rodriguez as Rosner wins battle of the giantsÂ
From NATHAN CLARKE in Zurich. Pictures by IRENA VANISOVA
Number one seed Gregory Gaultier, the French World No.3, will take on German World No.10 Simon Rösner in the final of the 2015 Grasshopper Cup, PSA International 70 tournament, in Zurich’s Puls 5 venue tomorrow (Sunday April 19).
The Frenchman will be gunning to collect the 29th PSA World Tour title of his career against the powerful man from Paderborn, who’ll be competing in his 15th final.
After reaching the decider without dropping a single game, the former World No.1 Gaultier will be firm favourite to lift the trophy.
Gaultier secured his place in the final with an accomplished and polished display against World No.5 Miguel Angel Rodriguez, preventing the dynamic Colombian from using his electric pace as he dictated proceedings from the very first point.
“I’m really excited to be into another final and I’m looking forward to the challenge ahead,” said Gaultier.
“All credit to Miguel as he’s done really well this year but I guess it was my day today and I’ll go now prepare myself as best I can and hopefully I’ll be able to do my best to win another trophy tomorrow.”
Rösner had to come through a 95-minute battle with World No.9 Omar Mosaad in order to book his place in the final, doing just enough to remain ahead of the powerful Egyptian, despite seeing two match ball opportunities go wasted, in what was a battle of hard-hitting giants.
“It’s quite hard to get your head around leading 2-0 and being so close to winning and then not finishing it off,” said Rösner.
“I had to dig deep and just forget about that third game and really concentrate in the fourth and I’m so happy, and relieved, to win against Omar and I’m hoping to come out fresh against Greg tomorrow and give it my all.”
Grasshopper Cup (PSA International 70) Puls 5, Zurich, Switzerland.
Semi-finals:
[1] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) bt [3] Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL) 3-0: 11-7, 11-8, 11-8 (51m)
[5] Simon Rösner (GER) bt [6] Omar Mosaad (EGY) 3-1: 11-8, 13-11, 11-13, 11-6 (95m) Â
Picture Gallery images by IRENA VANISOVA
