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Gulbis comes back to beat Querrey; Anderson, Isner move on

Ernests Gulbis in the third set of his comeback victory over Sam Querrey Thursday at the Delray Beach ITC.

By Palm Beach Business.com

DELRAY BEACH — Ernests Gulbis appeared to be done four games into the third set of his match with third seeded Sam Querrey Thursday afternoon at the Delray Beach International Tennis Championships.

Absolute toast.

Querrey had beaten Gulbis 6-4 to tie the match, then absolutely steamrolled his way to a 4-0 lead in the deciding set. The only question was whether Gulbis might be able to salvage a game or two before going down to defeat.

Gulbis, however, found his game, while Querrey seemed to lose his. The result was the biggest comeback of the tournament to date as Gulbis beat Querrey 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(4).

It wasn’t easy for Gulbis, who won the Delray tournament in 2010 but had to fight his way through the qualifiers this year to earn his way into the main draw. Gulbis showed his emotions throughout the match, smashing his racket at one point in reaction to his own play. With the match on the line and Querrey serving, Gulbis shouted an obscenity that cost him points.

Querrey, however, had problems with serve, double faulting at critical junctures that allowed Gulbis to get back in the match.

Also Thursday, top seed John Isner powered past Go Soeda of Japan 7-6(2), 6-2. and Kevin Anderson, the sixth seed and defending champion, beat Yen-Hsun Lu 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 to set up a repeat of last year’s semifinal match.