Denis Istomin bounces over Bjorn Phau to reach round two – Kremlin Cup 2012
Seeded sixth in this event, Denis Istomin from Uzbekistan made an epic comeback from a set down to record a three setter victory over the German contender, Bjorn Phau, at the Kremlin Cup 2012 on Monday. He summed up a 5-7, 7-5, 6-1 victory against the world
number 83 to power into the second round at this ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) World Tour 250 Series event held in Moscow, Russia.
The Uzbekistani number one made a drastic start at this indoor hard court event. However, he stayed on track and carved out the victory in two hours and 11 minutes on their first encounter. As a result, Istomin not only edged in the FedEx ATP Head 2 Head
Series by 1-0 against Phau but also advanced into the second round.
The 33-year-old made a strong entry at the Olympic Stadium. He drew the first blood in the third game and took a 2-1 lead. He lost his edge in the very next game but broke again, eventually taking a 5-4 lead. Despite levelling the scores again, the German
availed another break chance and clinched the opener with a 7-5 success. He blocked one out of three breakpoints he faced but converted three out of seven break chances to his advantage.
Istomin carried his drastic ways into the proceeding round. He endured the initial loss in after gifting his opening serve. However, the Uzbek stayed focused and subsequently snatched his break back in the 10th game. He held his remaining serves
with poise and broke his rival’s serve again in the last game, eventually sealing the equaliser by winning seven games to five.
Ranked 43rd in the South African Airways ATP World Tour Rankings, Istomin went berserk in the deciding set. He winded up five games in a row before Phau could come on the score sheet. The Uzbek plucked his serve once again and pulled out the decider
with a breadstick. He was never threatened with any breakpoint and availed two out of three break chances.
Up next for Istomin is the Czech rising star, Lukas Rosol, who overpowered Spain’s Daniel Gimeno-Traver in straight sets to set up this epic encounter.
Tags: