© BELGIUM
David Goffin (ATP 50) has joined the last four at the BW Open, the Challenger tournament in Louvain-la-Neuve. The first seed beat the German Yannick Hanfmann (ATP 128) in the quarterfinals 4-6, 6-2 and 6-1.
Michael Van DammeBron: BELGIAN
“It was a bit difficult to get going,” said the Belgian number 1 at the press conference afterwards. “After the last three or four days of training and the two games that ended late (and the time difference with Australia, ed.), I had it a bit more difficult today”, said Goffin, who had to miss his first round match at the Australian Open early last week.
“Once I got going I started to feel better and used his way of hitting better. I made him move more and my returns were better while still serving well. I felt I was holding him tight and I held on to the end. Overall the level was good.”
In the next round, Goffin will meet the winner of the duel between Gauthier Onclin (ATP 338) and the Japanese Kaichi Uchida (ATP 198). Now that he is qualified for the semifinals, Goffin cannot travel to South Korea with the other members of the Davis Cup team on Saturday. “That was the goal,” laughed Goffin. “I will probably leave on Monday.” He once again showed that he is having a good time in Louvain-la-Neuve. But soon a second long journey awaits him in two weeks. “Leaving again will be difficult, especially because it is not hot in South Korea. Another tough week, then there will be some rest. After that, the indoor tournaments in Rotterdam and Marseille are on the program.”