David Goffin surprises John Isner in pre-quarters – Valencia Open 2012
Belgian contender, David Goffin, stunned the fifth seed, John Isner from United States, in a three-set nail-biter at the Valencia Open 2012 on Wednesday. He nudged up a 7-6(2), 4-6, 6-4 victory against the American number one to secure a spot in the quarter-finals
at this ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) World Tour 500 Series event held in Valencia, Spain.
The underdog showed tremendous abilities to outsmart Isner in their second encounter at this indoor hard court event. The players last fought each other in Winston-Salem and after recording this success, Goffin not only avenged his loss but also levelled
the FedEx ATP Head 2 Head Series by 1-1 against the 27-year-old.
Goffin entered the Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències in high spirits. He swiftly swiped his entire serves without encountering any trouble. The Belgian failed to find any break opportunity but dominated in the tie-breaker, eventually sealing the opener with
a 7-6(2) win.
The world number 11, Isner rebounded in the proceeding set. He drew the first blood in the fifth game and jumped to a 4-2 lead. The American held his composure and bagged his remaining serves, consequently clicking the equaliser with a 6-4 win. He was never
threatened with any breakpoint and cashed the lone break chance to get back in contention.
Ranked 45th in the South African Airways ATP World Tour Rankings, Goffin failed to fins his rhythm towards the deciding set. He lost his serve in the third game and went 1-3 down. However, the Belgian re-focused his strategy and snatched his break
back in the sixth game. He held his remaining serves with poise and capitalised on another break opportunity in the last game, consequently clinching the decider with a 6-4 score line.
Next up for Goffin is the conqueror of the match between his compatriot’s Xavier Malisse and the Austrian number one, Jurgen Melzer.
The seventh seed, Marin Cilic, faced a better fate. He crushed the Spanish veteran, Fernando Verdasco, with a breadstick in one hour and 17 minutes. The Croatian top ranked star dropped his serve once but cashed four out of seven break chances to formulate
a 6-1, 6-4 success.
Tags: