Cedrik-Marcel Stebe bounces back against Andreas Beck in final four – ATP Challengers Tour 2011
World No.103, Cedrik-Marcel Stebe triumphed over his German compatriot, World No.105, Andreas Beck, in an epic three-set encounter in the semi-final of ATP Challengers Tour Final tournament. On Saturday November 19th,
Stebe went head-to-head for the first time against his compatriot and wrapped up the game in two hours and 49 minutes with a score of 5-7, 7-6(3), 7-6(4).
The tournament was played in Sao Paulo, Brazil and despite the fact that there was no Brazilian player in the semi-final, number of people turned in to witness this eye-startling thriller. Both players were having a good run of
form and had the capabilities to make it to the last two.
No one could predict anything as they were so closely tight at stats; their proximity of ranks and game play made it much more interesting for the viewers. Fifth and sixth seeded participants were meeting in the semi-final and
there is nothing more entertaining than watching two players of exactly the same calibre.
First set started off in great style as both players met blow to blow of each other and pushed the score without any breaks to 3-3. First break came in the seventh game when sixth seeded played a cracking return to other corner
of the court and earned himself and advantage; pressure paid off and Stebe committed a double-fault at that point.
There was no more drama throughout the set and Beck took the first set in commanding fashion. Trailing one set down, Stebe came back strong at his compatriot and thumped him with two cracking aces in the first game.
Sixth seed didn’t lose his concentration and dealt with an onslaught with confidence. Finally in the eighth game Stebe broke his rival’s serve and took the lead. Two games later sixth seed did pulled done game back by breaking
his opponent’s serve but could held his own serve in the next that pushed the match in the tie-breaker.
Stebe showed his worth and held his nerves in the tie-breaker to clinch the second set and level the match with one set apiece. Third set was slow as both players were conscious and didn’t want to act smart and provide an opportunity
to their rival with their silly mistake. Tie-breaker was enforced once again and crowd could expect no more entertainment than this.
Fifth seed again showed his class and remained composed to clinch the final set and move into grand finale where he sees Dudi Sela of Israel.
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