David Goffin edges past Matteo Marrai into the second round – Prague Open 2012 CH
Belgian’s David Goffin came back from the jaws of defeat to topple Matteo Marrai of Italy in three sets 3-6, 6-0, 7-6(5) in the opening round at the Prague Open in Czech Republic on Tuesday.
Marrai started off in an impressive manner, breaking the Belgian in the fourth and sixth game, while capitalising on them to grab a 5-1 lead. 107th ranked Goffin pulled one back but that effort was not enough as the Italian served
it out at 5-3.
The world number 263 did not give an incredible serve performance, as he could not hit any ace and committed one double fault. Marrai maintained an average first delivery percentage of 53 and won 13 of the 19 points on them. Nevertheless,
he was brilliant on the second returns, sealing eight of the 13 points. He did well when it mattered most, as the 25-year-old saved two of the three break points he faced and converted both he received.
Goffin raised the level of his game to new heights and looked like a completely new player in the second set. The Belgian did not allow Marrai to win even a single game, striking three times and snatching six in a row to triumph
6-0.
The 21-year-old, who had a poor first serve percentage of 35 in the opener, raised it to 85 in the second set. The big serving, Belgian, pounded six aces on his opponent, converting amazingly 10 of the 11 first and both of the
second deliveries into points. Goffin did not come across any break threat and capitalised on three of the seven he created.
The Belgian and Italian swapped two blows in the final set, squaring off the score at 6-6 and taking it to a tie-breaker. None of the two players was able to take lead in the first 10 points, evening out the score at 5-5. At that
moment, Goffin proved that he is a better player by claiming two consecutively and winning 7-6(5).
His level dropped in the decider, as he banged in just a couple of aces and also committed three double faults. The Belgian kept his first serve percentage at 46, claiming 13 of the 17 points on them.
It took Goffin two hours and 22 minutes to seal victory in a marathon match.
The Belgian will play third seed, Lukas Rosol of Czech Republic, in the second round.
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