Augustin Gensse upsets Martin Klizan in first round – Orleans Challenger 2011
Slovakian, Martin Klizan, squared-off against French, Augustin Gensse, in the first round of the Orleans Challenger Tournament, contested in France, on Monday October 17th. The second encounter between the two internationals
was really exciting and lasted for an hour and twenty-nine minutes. It was an epic revenge for the French for his loss earlier this year; he clinched the match in straight sets with a final score of 6-4 and 7-5.
The first set went even-steven till the first four games before the French took the lead by breaking his opponent’s serve and capitalizing on it by winning the final game of the set on his serve. Five aces, three from French and
two from the fourth seeded Slovakian, were scored in the first set.
It was completely opposite of what everybody expected; fourth seeded Klizan was trailing by one set. Gensse won 34 points out of the total of 59 and registered an impressive first and second serve points winning rate of 81% and
88% respectively.
Exciting game play from the French forced the Slovakian out of his comfort zone; brought four double faults serves which is totally uncharacteristic of Klizan. The stage was set for the French to take revenge of the loss at Rome
Challenger, earlier this year.
The second set was another thriller. Slovakian enjoyed the lead throughout the set and looked completely in control when the score was 5-3 but French broke his serve and pushed the score line to 5 games apiece. This dismantled
the Slovakian who couldn’t capitalize on his serve and lost the third game in a row.
The last game was easily won by the French who pulled up a magnificent upset and knocked-out the fourth seed in the first set. Local crowd was ecstatic at this performance of their national hero. Gensse had his revenge and placed
a berth in the next round draws.
World No.159 registered an impressive 78% second serve points winning rate and broke his opponent’s serve thrice at crucial stages of the match that proved the match winners. Nine double faults and just a single break point were
the disappointing stats for Slovakian who looked rusty and out of touch.
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