Baghdatis/Youzhny oust Dodig/Pavic in the final showdown – PBZ Zagreb Indoors 2012
Unseeded duo of Cyprus’ Marcos Baghdatis and Russia’s Mikhail Youzhny tumbled over the local wild card entrants, Ivan Dodig and Mate Pavic, in straight sets at the PBZ Zagreb Indoors 2012 on Sunday. They clobbered a 6-2, 6-2 victory over the wild cards to
grab their first title together at this ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) World Tour event taking place on the hard courts in Zagreb, Croatia.
The Cypriot-Russian tandem displayed perfect co-ordination to dump the first time finalists in 52 minutes. They held entire serves convincingly and broke their rivals’ serve twice in each set to succeed. Baghdatis bagged his first doubles title whereas the
Russian lifted his ninth title from 12 title-round appearances.
"It's been a pleasure to come back here to play this week," said Baghdatis. "I was last here in 2007 and it's been great to be back. Thanks to everyone for making it a great week, and Mischa for playing with me. Congrats to him on a great tournament."
Baghdatis and Youzhny assertively stepped on the Croatian hard courts and drew the first blood in the opening game to take the initial lead. Later, they maintained consistency in their game to keep entire serves and cashed in another break chance in the
seventh game, eventually winning the set with a 6-2 score line.
The highly energetic Cypriot-Russian junction repeated their winning ways in the final set. They earned the desiderated break in the opening game and subsequently went 2-0 up. Baghdatis and Youzhny continued expressing amazing collaboration and not only
held entire serves but sealed the set with a 6-2 win after earning another break of serve.
All in all, the winning combination of Baghdatis and Youzhny showed their best tennis throughout the match. They clobbered a better first serve share of 65 percent as opposed to their opponents’ 58 percent and spectacularly clinched 24 out of 26 points on
it. The Cypriot-Russian pair also brushed off the only breakpoint they came across and capitalised on half of the eight break opportunities to edge past the local stars.
The booming tandem lost a single set en route to the title-round. They upset the second seeded Israelis, Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram, in straight sets in the semi-finals to reach this spot.
Earlier that day, Youzhny earned the limelight after crushing the Slovakian challenger, Lukas Lacko, in straight sets at the singles event. The Russian was never threatened by Lacko and after converting three out of seven break chances to his advantage,
Youzhny grabbed his eighth ATP singles title.
After shelving these titles, Youzhny became the first man to triumph both titles at an event this season.
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