Albert Montanes upsets Filippo Volandri in semis – AON Open 2012 CH
Seventh seed, Albert Montanes, stunned the local challenger, Filippo Volandri, in a three-set mouth-watering match at the AON Open 2012 on Saturday. He summed up a 1-6, 7-6(1), 6-3 victory against the fourth seed to charge into the title-round at this ATP
(Association of Tennis Professionals) Challenger Tour event taking place in Genoa, Italy.
The Spanish veteran outshined Volandri in a clash between two veterans at this outdoor clay court event. Battling each other for the 12th time, Montanes not only avenged his defeat at the Cordenons Challenger last month but also booked a spot
in the final round.
The 31-year-old local star thundered into the arena. He reeled off five games in a row before Montanes could come on the score sheet. The Italian plucked his serve once again and clinched the opener with a breadstick. He amazingly held his entire serves
after blocking all three breakpoints he faced and converted both break chances to his advantage.
Montanes re-structured in the proceeding set despite suffering the initial blow. He lost his opening serve and fell at 0-2. However, the Spaniard made a fitting replay and after breaking Volandri’s serve twice, he jumped to a 5-3 lead. Despite losing his
proceeding two serves, Montanes not only recovered in the last game but dominated in the tie-breaker to grab the equaliser with a 7-6(1) win.
Ranked 111th in the South African Airways ATP World Tour Rankings, Montanes raised the bar of his game in the final set. He broke the Italian’s serve twice and cruised to a 4-1 lead. Apart from losing his serve in the sixth game, the Spaniard
capitalised on another break chance in the last game and sealed the decider by winning six games to three.
Montanes will face off his compatriot, Tommy Robredo, in the title-round. The former world number five displayed exceptional skills, jolting down fifth seeded Simone Bolelli in straight sets. Robredo lost his serve once but availed four out of 10 break opportunities
to manipulate a 7-5, 6-2 success. He also smashed five aces and impressively marked 26 out of 35 points on his first serve share.
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