2011 BNP Paribas Open: Viktor Troicki outplayed Michael Llodra in the third round
25-year-old Serbian, Viktor Troicki outplayed his French contender, Michael Llodra, in the third round of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells on Tuesday night.
The pair’s first ever meeting had came last year at the Davis Cup final, where Troicki being favored by his home ground won the match 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 facilitating Serbia to win its first ever Davis cup in the history.
Allowing their second meeting on court, Serbian competently blew away Llodra in straight sets 6-3, 6-3 taking one hour and six minutes of match play. Troicki was much better than his contestant in most statistics of the scoreboard,
cashing out his lucky chances at right times.
The 25-year-old had an enthusiastic start, something he needed to rule the match throughout. He served 55 per cent on target winning 10 out of 12 points on it. However, his opponent Llodra, 24th seed here, managed to win a meager
69 per cent on his first serves. Llodra received seven break points and he converted five out of them. Troicki got no opportunity to break serve.
The Serbian had a striking defence and a powerful attacking capability. He completely administrated the match by sealing a 6-3 win. The French had to bridge this gap of serve accuracy in the second set if he wanted to stood victorious
against Sixteenth seeded.
Understanding Troicki’s plan of action, Llodra identified his weaknesses and fought back as he landed in with three aces. But examining the serve quality of both contestants, Troicki had a clear edge over the French again. The
25-year-old had a commendable serve percentage of 73 in the second set while Llodra lagged far behind her with 67 per cent.
Success in game of tennis is nothing more than changing favorable circumstance into winning points. Troicki sewed up a win against Llodra in the second set going one up in the head-to-head score.
With this win, Troicki has improved his year-to-date win/loss record to 13-5. He now moves on ahead to face his country fellow and close friend Novak Djokovic, a third seed here. The match is going to be very exciting as this would
be the 9th meeting between these two close friends. Djokovic leads Troicki 7-1 in the head to head record. Given their last meeting at the first Grand Slam of the year, the Australian Open, Djokovic stood victorious in the third round due to Troicki’s retirement
from the match due to injury.
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