Adrian Mannarino upsets Dudi Sela in the quarter-finals – Loughborough Challenger 2012 CH
Seventh seeded, Adrian Mannarino successfully gave the higher ranked Israeli competitor, Dudi Sela, a three-set shocker at the quarter-finals of the AEGON GB Pro-Series Loughborough Challenger 2012. He jolted down his 6-3, 5-7,
6-2 triumph in two hours at the indoor hard courts of Acrylic on the eve of Friday.
The 24-year-old French professional commenced the match but was unable to sustain his lead as Sela cashed his serve in the third game. However, the third seeded Israeli contender did not sustain his resilience and the score line
levelled down to 3-all in the sixth game. After that point, Mannarino started to build momentum and did not let it go. Despite of his lower rank, Mannarino beautifully stole the opener with a 6-3 score line.
In the second set, the left-hander Frenchman sustained his former winning pace and jumped forward to grab the initial two games, marking a 2-love lead. The 27-year-old, Sela, took hold of the opportunity and evened out the score
line to 2-all in the fourth game and began to build momentum. The two players continuously shifted the lead between the two sides. The Israeli senior’s continuous struggle to preserve his upper hand and he stole the set with a 7-5 lead.
Ranked 100th in the ATP World Tour Rankings, Sela, shattered all his hopes when his French opponent cashed his serve in the third game. Mannarino maintained his resilience and pursuing all the games with every game.
He made a decent start towards the end, concluding the match with a 6-2 win.
The 24-year-old, French challenger secured 69 percent initial serve with 13 of 20 first serve and six of nine second serve points. He beautifully held his lead by bagging away all of the two serve breaks presented and Sela was
unable to sustain even one. The right-hander Israeli secured 63 percent initial serve precision with 10 of 15 first and three of nine second serve points in response.
For the next match, Mannarino will battle against the German rival, Jan-Lennard Struff. Previously, he consolidated his outstanding straight sets defeat against his compatriot, Jamie Baker 6-4, 6-1.
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