cinch Champs 2022: Day Four
First up on Centre for Day Four saw Tommy Paul take on firm fans’ favourite Stan Wawrinka. Paul didn’t allow Wawrinka to find his before storming ahead in the first set, taking it comfortably, 6-1. Wawrinka quickly shook it off though to keep the score very tight in the second set – game for game. Despite many fans’ expectations, Paul’s form was enough to see off the grand slam specialist from Switzerland 6-4 in the final set – another upset at Queen’s this year. We hope to see Stan again at Queen’s in the future, and we look forward to seeing Tommy in the next round!
With the crowd suitably warmed up, next on court saw America’s Denis Kudla take on defending Queen’s Champion and second seed Matteo Berrettini. Kudla stamped his authority on the first set taking it 6-3. Momentum stayed with the American into second set but Berrettini wasn’t going to give up easily and clinched the second set tie break to make it 1-1. Into the final set and no one could call it. Berrettini kept the crowd entertained with a whopping 22 aces to Kudla’s 5, and alongside some fantastic tennis booked his place in the cinch Championships quarter finals with a 6-4 victory in the final set. A real thriller!
Up and coming star, Ryan Peniston was next on court against Francisco Cerundolo who, with a current world ranking of 46, would serve up a challenge for the Brit. Peniston came flying out the blocks with a whitewash in the first set, 6-0. You would be forgiven for thinking that this might be the quickest match of the tournament so far, but the Argentinian responded well taking the second set 6-4. With the crowd firmly (and audibly!) in his favour, Peniston rode the wave and sailed into the quarter finals with a solid 6-4 victory in the final set. What a Championships this British wild card is having!
The Day Four crowds were treated to a lengthy day at Queen’s today as the final match up on Centre started early evening. Serbia’s Filip Krajinovic stepped onto court against America’s Sam Querrey which proved to be an even match. First set fell the American’s way 6-4 but the Serbian levelled with a 6-3 victory in the second. It was anyone’s game going into the final set of the match, and the day, but it was the Serbian who found that little bit of extra energy at the close of the day to knock out the 2010 Queen’s champion.