Alexandr Dolgopolov edges past Marcos Baghdatis into last eight – Moselle Open 2011
After an enthralling contest in the second round of the Moselle Open, the third seeded Ukrainian, Alexandr Dolgopolov, outplayed the unseeded Cypriot, Marcos Baghdatis, on Wednesday night.
20th ranked Dolgopolov had to toil hard to overcome the resilient Baghdatis in the contest but he eventually wrapped up the three-setter at 6-7(5), 7-5, 6-3, to move into the quarter-final rounds of the ATP (Association
of Tennis Professionals) World Tour 250 event.
Baghdatis was off to a good start in the contest, bagging the opener after a stiff fight with the third seeded opponent but eventually lost his steam as the game progressed. Dolgopolov made his way back in the matchup after dropping
the first set and then reeled of the next two sets in succession to come out as the winner in the end.
It was the 34th single victory for the Ukrainian in the running ATP season and the second one against Baghdatis. The Cypriot won the last meeting they had in Moscow, Russia, last year, defeating Dolgopolov in straight
sets 6-2, 7-6(7), in the quarter-final round of the tournament but failed to repeat the similar performance on Wednesday night. Dolgopolov avenged his defeat from Baghdatis to break into a 2-1 lead in the all-time head-to-head series against him.
The world number 60, Baghdatis, was off to an excellent start in the opener, breaking the third seeded opponent in the second game to lead 3-0 early in the contest. Dolgopolov replied with a break point in the seventh game to enforce
a tie breaker later in the set but failed to carry on his momentum in the decider. Baghdatis took the first set at 7-6(5), to lead 1-0 in the competition.
No serve breaks were seen from both contestants in the second set, taking he scores to 6-5, with Dolgopolov leading. It appeared as if the game is heading to another tie breaker round but a timely break point conversion from the
Ukrainian sealed the set in his favour at 7-5.
Dolgopolov broke his opponent early in the final set to lead 3-0 and then held his lead to drive Baghdatis out of the competition comprehensively. The third seeded Ukrainian finished off the matchup at 6-3, getting through to the
round of eight of the Moselle Open.
Dolgopolov will take on the winner of the second round match between the sixth seed Belgian, Xavier Malisse and Igor Kunitsyn in the quarter-final round.
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