WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) — France’s Gael Monfils overcame early struggles to beat Alexandr Dolgopolov 7-6 (11) 6-3 Friday in the semifinals of the Winston-Salem Open.
Monfils, ranked No. 43 in the world, lost serve twice early and went down 4-0 in the first set to Dolgopolov. He even received treatment on his left hip during the side exchange before rallying.
After the injury break, Monfils broke Dolgopolov’s serve twice to force the tiebreaker and win the first set. He then added two more service breaks in the second set to advance to a tournament final for the third time this season.
Monfils will now face the winner of Friday’s second semifinal at the Wake Forest Tennis Center between American Sam Querrey — at No. 29 the highest ranked player remaining in the tournament — and Austria’s Jurgen Melzer.
