Cedrik-Marcel Stebe eases past Michael Berrer to reach the semi-finals – Heilbronn Open 2012 CH
In an all-German affair at the Heilbronn Open, the second seed, Cedrik-Marcel Stebe reigned supreme over the world number 102, Michael Berrer, in the quarter-final battle on Friday. The 83rd ranked home favourite took
one hour and 18 minutes to conclude his comprehensive victory in straight sets, 6-1, 6-4, to book a berth in the semi-final of the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) Challenger Tour event.
The contest was played on the outdoor hard courts of Heilbronn, Germany, with the second seed putting up a magnificent show of sheer dominance and class. Although Stebe have below par first serve precision in the match, he secured
21 out of 28 points on it to come out as the winner. Sixth seed Berrer evenly matched his superior opponent in most segments of the game except the break point conversions. He could strike merely one serve break in the entire matchup, while suffered four cracking
ones from Stebe to finish on the losing side.
The contest took off in grand fashion, with both men exchanging three successive serve breaks right up. Stebe drew the first blood in the second game, only to be broken in the very next game but he snatched back the advantage immediately
in the following game to lead 3-1. The second seed German had another opportunity in the sixth game and he cashed it in to have a sounding 5-1 lead in the first set. Rest was routine work for Stebe and he had no difficulties in serving out of the opener with
a breadstick, 6-1.
The second seed German carried on his winning ways in the following set as well and nailed a crucial serve break in the fifth game to lead 3-2. Berrer failed to recover from the damage done by the break point conversion from his
opponent and eventually submitted the match to the second seed German at 4-6.
Stebe will face off against the Belgian qualifier, Ruben Bemelmans, in the semi-final battle to earn a title shot at the Heilbronn Open. Bemelmans was successful against the surprising Canadian competitor, Vasek Pospisil, in straight
sets, 7-6(1), 6-3, in the quarter-final draw of the tournament.
Dominik Meffert and Bjorn Phau were the other Germans to reach the semi-final round on Friday. Meffert ousted the unseeded South African, Rik de Voest, in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4, whereas Phau was successful against Martin Klizan,
6-0, 6-3, to get through to the final-four at the tournament.
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