Begemann/Kudryavtsev defeat Motti/Zemlja in quarterfinal – Eckental Challenger 2011
The men’s doubles quarterfinals continued on November 3, 2011 at the Eckental Challenger. The team of Alessandro Motti (Italy) and Grega Zemlja (Slovenia) faced Andre Begemann (Germany) and Alexandre Kudryavtsev (Russia) in the
quest to secure a place in the semi finals of the tournament. Begemann/Kudryavtsev won the match 4-6, 6-3, 11-9
As both the teams won their previous matches of the tournament with great style, with impressive victories over their opponents, they were filled with emotions to play the quarterfinals.
The two teams were nearly equal opponents as Motti/Zemlja had a 52% first serve winning ratio while their opponents had a 56% rate. In terms of first serve points won, Motti/Zemlja won 81% of their points on first serve while Begemann/Kudryavtsev
won 80%.
Both teams were not letting their opponents take a decisive lead in both the first two sets. The two teams were in continuous hunt to break each other’s serves. Motti/Zemlja saved four out of the six breakpoints they faced while
Begemann/Kudryavtsev managed to save two out of their four breakpoints.
In the first set, both teams delivered an equal number of aces. Motti/Zemlja scored three aces while their opponents could score four. A single breakpoint was scored by each team in the first set.
The turning point in the first set came when Motti/Zemlja saved all three of their breakpoints, not giving their opponents to sail into a lead. Begemann/Kudryavtsev could not save any breakpoint. Motti/Zemlja won the first set
6-4.
As the second set began, both teams were head-to-head in terms of scores and gaining points. Motti/Zemlja delivered three aces and conceded two double faults. Begemann/Kudryavtsev scored five aces and conceded the same number of
breakpoints.
Motti/Zemlja could only save one out of their three breakpoints while their opponents saved two out of three. Not being able to save breakpoints was one of the reasons that they could not maintain a lead in the second set. Begemann/Kudryavtsev
had a higher percentage of winning points on first serve with 87% while their opponents secured a 75% ratio.
The second set went to Begemann/Kudryavtsev who won the set 6-3. Unlike in the first set, where they could not move ahead the fourth set, they were more composed as a team in the second set when they won all six games and contained
their opponents in winning three.
They were making an effort on their first serves with which they went past their opponents in creating a lead to win the second set and equalize the match with two sets each.
As the match entered into the third set, the intensity of the match heightened as the teams became aggressive in winning the match to win the quarterfinals.
Begemann/Kudryavtsev scored a single ace in the third set and conceded no double faults. Interestingly, both teams showed a higher percentage in points won on their second serve as Motti/Zemlja scored 83% points while Begemann/Kudryavtsev
won all of their points on second serve.
The third set went further ahead than the maximum seven points as Begemann/Kudryavtsev won the third set at 11-9 and made their way into the semi finals of the 2011 Eckental Challenger.
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