Alex Bogdanovic, Clement Reix enter the quarterfinals – Van Open 2011 CH
Alex Bogdanovic of Great Britain has entered the quarterfinals of Van Open as he did away with the tournament’s top seed, Yen-Hsun Lu in the second round to seal his win
in three sets, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.
27-year-old Brit, who was unseeded at the tournament had never met the Taiwanese player before and was pushed hard in a 135-minutes win.
As for Lu, who is ranked 67th in the world, took the second set after going toe-to-toe with Bogdanvic’s powerful groundstrokes. But the top-seed’s momentum seeped
away over the course of decider and Bogdanovic swept to an emphatic win.
Bogdanovic played his part in building a surprise early lead with some dynamic hitting from the baseline, but never looked secured in the second set where his serve was
shredded pretty badly and Lu nabbed his chances to level the set score.
Galvanized by the sad ending of the second set, Bogdanovic rediscovered a length of shot and power that had troubled the top seed early on in the match.
His scurrying and hustling built the pressure on Lu, and the world number 67 cracked. His previously firm serve faltered and he succumbed in the next game with two double
faults.
This time, Bogdanovic retained his composure, his serve and the third-set lead and moved into the quarterfinals where he will meet fifth-seeded compatriot James Ward.
Also, Clement Reix of France made light work of seventh-seeded South African Fritz Wolmarans with a 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(9) victory in the second round and has successfully moved
into the quarterfinals where he will meet second-seeded Bobby Reynolds of America.
It was an energetic display of tennis from the 27-year-old Reix, who at one point served to level at one-all and then made a terrific comeback in the decider after clinching
the third set in a tie-breaker.
The South African second seed, bidding for his second Challenger title of the year since Rimouski, cruised through the opening set, justifying his top billing of no.7 seed
at the tournament.
However, as the second set started, Reix appeared to grow in confidence and using his blistering groundstrokes to frustrate the South African, he took the second set and
opened up the decider with his full arsenal on display.
Although his seeded opponent put up a great fight, pushing the set into a tie-breaker, he could not hold his ground and lost it 7-6(9).
Emerging victorious the French man now moves on to meet the second-seeded Bobby Reynolds for a place in the semi-finals.
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