Andreas Haider-Maurer battles past Robin Haase into the main draw of Open de Nice Côte d’Azur
World number 90, Austrian Andreas Haider-Maurer fought back after the bashing in the second set to upset Dutch Robin Haase, ranked 59th in the world, in three sets 6-3, 0-6, 6-4 in the final qualifier of the Open de
Nice Côte d’Azur at Nice Lawn Tennis Club on Sunday. Haider-Maurer needed an hour and 56 minutes to beat his opponent in a tough contest.
The Austrian broke Haase in the fourth game of the opening set and consolidated on the single break of serve to claim the set 6-3.
Haider-Maurer did well to fire four aces but he was erratic with his second serves, committing three double faults in the first set. The Austrian managed to deliver 57 percent of the first serves, claiming 75 percent of the points
on them. While, Haase kept his first serve percentage at 61 percent and clinched 76 percent of the points on the first serve in the opening set. The Dutch converted one of the six break points he received and saved both break points he faced in the first set.
In the second set, Haase came back and crushed Haider-Maurer as he did not allow the Austrian to win a single game in the entire set, winning it 6-0.
Haase made the difference with his excellent serves, firing four aces and 71 percent of the first deliveries in the second set. The Dutch bagged 67 percent of the first service points in the second set. In comparison, Haider-Maurer’s
first serve percentage remained almost the same as the opening set, delivering 56 percent of the first serves. But, his conversion rate dropped as he converted 64 percent of the first serves into points in the second set. The Austrian could not save three
of the eight break points he faced in the second set.
After losing the second set miserably, Haider-Maurer did not lose hope and kept on fighting in the deciding set. The 24-year-old’s effort finally paid off and he broke Haase in the ninth game, capturing the final set 6-4.
The right-handed hit a single ace and 52 percent of the first serves in the third set, clinching an amazing 93 percent of the points on them. On the other hand, Haase had a first serve percentage of 53 percent, converting 59 percent
of the first serves into points in the deciding set. The Dutch had no answer to his opponent’s huge serves as he won just 7 percent of the first return points in the final set. Haider-Maurer saved all three break points he faced and converted one of the two
break points he received in the third set.
The Austrian will play Argentine Carlos Berlocq, ranked 68th in the South African Airways 2011 ATP Rankings, in the opening round of the main draw.
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