Watch: Simon's Death Defying Volley in Montpellier

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Watch: Simon's Death Defying Volley in Montpellier

Défait par un @DreddyTennis inspiré, 6/4 6/4, @GillesSimon84 a néanmoins marqué le point du match ! @OpenSuddeFrance https://t.co/6XnhrvEZQ4
— Ma Chaine Sport (@machainesport) February 4, 2016

How crazy is it that Dustin Brown upset third-seeded Gilles Simon on Thursday at the Open Sud de France and it was Simon who made the hot shot of the day? Normally it’s the flamboyant, uber athletic German who creates most of the highlight reel, but on this day Simon’s fast hands at the net made for the most jaw-dropping moment of the match (see video above).

More: Zverev Claim's Big Upset in Montpellier

Still it was not enough for Simon, who fell 6-4, 6-4 to the German after failing to convert on both of his break points during the 64-minute encounter. Brown’s aggressive tactics paid dividends throughout the match, and his ability to serve big with consistency kept him out in front in most of his service games. He finished with ten aces, won 30 of 36 service points and connected on 65 percent of his first serves in reaching his 9th career quarterfinal.

When he was tested he stood tall. Brown saved a break point at 3-2 in the first set before breaking in the next game to claim the critical break and a 4-3 lead in set one.

In the second set after breaking in the first game, Brown saved another break point while serving at 4-3, 30-40 with a giant serve down the T.

He was not troubled after that. Brown finished with 40 winners against just 13 for Simon, and the German won 19 of 26 points at the net. He’ll move on to face Belgium’s Ruben Bemelmans in the quarterfinals. Brown has lost all eight of his previous ATP quarterfinals to date.

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