Defending champion Gilles Simon is into the final of the BCR Open yet again, but he had to dig very deep to get past talented Argentine Jose Acasuso 4-6 7-6(4) 6-4 in the match of the tournament which lasted 5 minutes short of 3 hours.

After dropping the opening set due to a poor start which saw him fall behind 0-3, the Frenchman took advantage of a loose game from Acasuso and broke for 3-1 in the second set. However, after failing to close it out when serving at 5-3, Simon clinched it by winning the ensuing tiebreak 7-4 with some consistent rallying.

After receiving a massage during the chamgeover, a weary looking Acasuso dropped his opening service game with a tired double fault.

Simon saved a break point in the sixth game with a forehand volley and though he missed three chances to get the double break in the next game, he held on to claim his well earnt victory when serving in the tenth game with a service winner.

A test of courage, stamina and fitness which the gutsy Frenchman passed with flying colours.

"It was my first long match so I think I'm going to be OK for tomorrow", Simon said. "I think it could have been easier today; I played three very bad games at the beginning of the match to give him 3-0. Then I was so nervous; I wanted to play like the other day and I didn't manage to. I was looking for it every game and I was very nervous because I had so many chances. I'm pretty happy to play the final tomorrow."

Simon came into the match with a 3-0 lead in their previous encounters, but today Simon found the Argentine to be more of a handful than before.

"He played a nice game today, nice tennis. Not so many unforced errors, usually I'm waiting a little bit more. Every important point he played a winner, didn't miss any ball so I really had to take my chances if I wanted to win this match. He didn't give me many free points, that was not the case the last two times which was on hardcourt. The match was very long which was good for me."

Going into the final, Simon is not especially sad not to be playing friend and compatriot Richard Gasquet.

"It does not change anything for me. I am sad for him but even so he is a very good player and so is Carlos. I hope we play a very great final tomorrow. My objective was to get to the final and try to defend my title, so I don't care about the opponent."

Andre Jones

BNR Arena

Bucharest