Aegon Championships, London

[10] Richard Gasquet (FRA) vs. [39] Steve Johnson (USA)

The odds were stacked against Johnson.  He lost their previous encounter and had never defeated a top ten player in thirteen tries.  He got off to a horrific start, down 0-4 and a break point to go down 0-5.  That is why tennis is so exciting; it’s the unexpected comebacks that make the sport so thrilling.  Johnson has not been playing with the most confidence either and things looked pretty dismal, but he took it one point at a time and slowly chipped away at the lead.  He frustrated Gasquet with his slices and came away with the biggest victory of his career.  Johnson won 7-6(2), 6-2 after a complete unraveling of Gasquet.

SEPPI’S FIRST VICTORY AGAINST FERRER

Gerry Weber Open, Halle

[14] Davis Ferrer (ESP) vs. [40] Andreas Seppi [ITA]

It was a day of firsts and Seppi continued the trend across the ocean in Germany.  In nine tries he had only been able to win one set from Ferrer.  Ferrer is not at his best, recently back on the Tour from an injury, his game is rusty and his confidence is shaky.   In addition, this was their first meeting on grass and Seppi showed us last year that he is quite comfortable on the surface and it carried over today with his upset win of Ferrer.   Seppi will await the winner of the Taylor Fritz vs. Yuichi Sugita match. Can Seppi get back to the final in Halle?