Denis Istomin upsets Julien Benneteau in the semis – SAP Open 2012
Uzbekistan’s contender Denis Istomin required three sets to stun the fifth seeded Julien Benneteau at the SAP Open 2012 on Saturday. He clobbered a 6-3, 6-7(4), 6-3 victory against the French to advance into his second final at this ATP (Association of Tennis
Professionals) World Tour 250 series event held in San Jose, United States.
The unseeded Istomin took two hours and 20-minutes to outsmart the 34th ranked French for the first time in their third outing. He not only lowered the trail in the FedEx ATP head-to-head series by 1-2 against Benneteau but also booked a spot
in the final showdown at this hard court tournament.
"In the second set, I started playing a little bit softer,” the Uzbek said in post-match press conference. “As soon as I started playing more aggressive, I broke him and I finished pretty good."
World number 61 confidently entered the HP Pavilion and held his serve in the first game to take the initial lead. The Uzbek then warded off all three breakpoints he faced to keep remaining serves. Istomin got the breakthrough in the sixth game after cashing
in the only break chance and sealed the opener with a 6-3 win.
The higher ranked found his rhythm in the following set and earned the desiderated break in the sixth game to go 4-2 up. Regardless of losing his serve in the very next game, Benneteau remained focused and took the set to a tie-breaker. He prevailed in it
and won the equaliser with a 7-6(4) score line.
The match could go either ways at this point but the contestant who earned the limelight was the unseeded star. Istomin entered high spiritedly in the final set and quickly bagged entire serves without facing any hindrance. He capitalised on the only break
opportunity in the eighth game and pulled out the victory with a 6-3 score.
The 25-year-old is currently enjoying a great season. He made a quarter-final berth at the Brisbane International and cruised into the last four at the Apia International Sydney.
"I started this year really good. I’m really happy to be in the finals here,” Istomin was further quoted. "I feel like I’m in really good physical condition now. Of course, I go to the court to win, but Milos is a very good player. I hope to put up a good
fight tomorrow."
Next up for the high flying Uzbek is the defending champion, Milos Raonic, who dumped the American teenager, Ryan Harrison, in straight sets to reach this spot.
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