Ebden Capitalises On Kohlschreiber Lapse In Halle

Matthew Ebden, competing at a career-high No. 60 in the ATP Rankings, continued his impressive run of form on grass courts by beating local hope Philipp Kohlschreiber on Thursday at the Gerry Weber Open.

Ebden, fresh off his second ATP World Tour semi-final at the Libema Open (l. to Chardy), ran out a 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 winner over 2011 champion Kohlschreiber, who has a 31-12 record in Halle.

The Australian will next challenge World No. 1 Roger Federer, on a 17-match grass-court winning streak dating back to his ninth Halle title last year, or Benoit Paire of France.

Watch: Join Ebden In An Off-Court Halle Training Session

Kohlschreiber was in complete control until a lapse in concentration early in the second set, which lasted just 23 minutes. Ebden won eight of nine games, before Kohlschreiber saved six break points in a 12-minute third game of the decider. Ebden earned his ninth win of the year by hitting 37 winners, including seven aces.

Kohlschreiber is 121-64 lifetime in Germany (.654) and 318-275 elsewhere (.536), with five of his eight ATP World Tour singles titles coming on home soil.

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