Denis Istomin, Jurgen Zopp through to the semi-final – Tashkent Challenger 2011
Uzbek tennis pro Denis Istomin eased past compatriot Murad Inoyatov 6-2, 6-3 on Thursday to book a place in the semi-final of 2011 Tashkent Challenger in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Murad looked in stunning form in a match that lasted
for only one hour and 43 minutes on the hard courts of Uzbek Capital.
Although Istomin made six double faults in the match, he was able to get the better of his opponent in all other departments of the game. He fired four blistering serves aces to win points at crucial stages during the contest.
Converting 77 per cent of his first serves, he controlled the rallies from the baseline. Securing 53 per cent of the points at the receiving end, he was formidable in sever return department of the game as well.
Ranked 78th in the world in Association of Tennis Professional ranking, Istomin was very pleased with his performance and is expected to continue his attacking play in his upcoming matches as well. Number three seed
broke the serve three times in the opening set to dent his opponent’s confidence levels. Murad did well to break back once in the set but he failed to handle the pressure to let his opponent take the set score lead 1-0.
Istomin continued his onslaught in the second set as well and he managed to break his opponent early to take 3-1 lead. Holding on to his service games with ease; he closed out the match to move ahead at the Challengers tournament.
In another match, Jurgen Zopp of Estonia crushed Tsung Hua Yang 7-6 (8), 6-2 to make it to the last four at Tashkent.
Zopp looked to attack his opponent right from the start of the match. With his aggressive intent, he was able to create break point opportunities against Yang. Holding on to his service games, Zopp forced the opening set into a
tie-breaker, which he claimed 10-8 to take the set score lead. Dropping only a couple of games in the following set, he completed his superb straight sets victory.
Tags: