Tennis: Twin shocks in Valencia Open semis

VALENCIA: Argentina’s Juan Monaco shocked defending champion and home favourite David Ferrer 7-5, 1-6, 6-3 to set up a final clash against Spain’s Marcel Granollers in the Valencia Open. Monaco, ranked 41, broke Ferrer’s winning run in his home city event of 14 wins stretching back to 2007. His opponent in the title match also produced a shock semi-final win to reach his second successive final here after losing in straight sets to Ferrer last year. Granollers ousted Argentine Juan Martin Del Potro 6-4, 7-6 in one hour and 52 minutes to reach the final.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 7^th,  2011.