Carlos Berlocq defeats Pavol Cervenak in second round – Uruguay Open 2011 CH
Carlos Berlocq of Argentina proved to be a resilient opponent, as he kept standing against Slovakian Pavol Cervenak in the second round of the men’s singles competition in Montevideo. The first seed Argentinean was playing against
the Slovakian at the 2011 Uruguay Open, where both players were looking to secure their place in the quarterfinals of the tournament.
As the first set began, none of the players could score an ace. Berlocq conceded double faults thrice in the set, which may have resulted because he wanted to take an early lead in the set. Cervenak did concede a double fault once
and remained almost equal to his opponent in terms of winning service points. Ranked at world number 61st spot, Berlocq won 69% points from his first serve and won 40% points from his second serves.
On the other hand, Cervenak won 65% points from his first serve and retained a better winning rate in the second serve by winning 53% points. The Argentinean could save a single breakpoint from the three he faced and remained
on the lower end as Cervenak was successful in saving two breakpoints out of the four that he faced. Both competitors were going on head-to-head in the set as neither of them gave any room for their opponent to take a lead. The equally matched competitors
took the set into a tiebreaker. The Slovakian won the first set 7-6(7).
With the second set in progress, Berlocq eyed an equalizer to stay in the match and keep his quarterfinal hopes alive. He could not score any ace neither conceded any double fault. He was playing a cautious match for he did not
want to give any extra points to his opponent. Ranked at world number 229th spot in the world, won by delivering an ace and conceded a double fault. The Argentinean had a 79% first serve winning rate while the Slovakian had a 59% first serve rate.
In the first serves, both players, equally balanced with their serves kept fighting for a lead. Cervenak won 75% points from his firsts serve and Berlocq won 78% points from his second. In the second serves, Cervenak won 45% points
while Berlocq won 67% points and gathered momentum to secure a lead. The 28-year old Argentinean was successful in saving both of his breakpoints while the 24-year old Slovakian could only save one of the two breakpoints he faced. Cervenak, who looked in
good touch in the opening set, could only win three games in the second set. Berlocq won the second set 6-3 and equalized the match.
Entering into the third set, the two players were in the hunt to gain a decisive lead and win the match. Both players played with a focused approach and their controlled shots did not let them score an ace, which is why they did
not concede any double fault either. The Argentinean had an 80% first serve winning ratio, which was much higher than the 66% rate, which the Slovakian had secured.
Berlocq was ahead in the set with his service games. He won 75% points from his first serve and 60% points from his second serve. On the other hand, Cervenak won 52% points from his first serve and 54% points from his second. The
Slovakian was again on the back foot, as he could not use his serves to propel himself into the lead. Cervenak again could only win three games as Berlocq won the third set 6-3 and entered the quarterfinal round.
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