Dennis Zivkovic outplays Maciek Sykut in final qualifying round – Medellin Challenger 2011
In an all-round American contest, Maciek Sykut squared-off against Dennis Zivkovic, in the last qualifying round of Medellin Challenger tournament, contested in Colombia, on Sunday October 30th. The contest lasted for
two hours and twenty-six minutes and ended with a final score of 7-6(5), 3-6, 6-2 in favour of 24-year-old, Zivkovic.
Both players were separated with a difference of just seven ranks. Sykut had won five of his last nine encounters but his competitor had won just three and was going through very rough time at the court. It was obvious that this
match was going to be a nail-biting contest. Sykut’s confidence was skyrocketing after the triumph over the top seed, Tiago Lopez, in the second qualifying round.
The first set was all about exchange of breaks from the start till the end except few games when players held on to their serves. 25-year-old, Sykut started the proceedings with a break but he couldn’t hold on to his nerve and
this scenario continued for the first six games.
With no player managing to hold on to his serve, the scoreboard moved to 3-3. To the surprise of everyone the winner held his serve for the first time in the seventh game and broke again to take two games lead. But his opponent
broke his serve and held on to his to level the score at 5-5.
The crowd was ecstatic at this scintillating thriller and were eager to see more of this. Players held on to their serves in the next two games and enforced a tie-breaker. It was matter of keeping your nerves and waiting for you
opponent to make mistake.
A delicately placed drop shot from Sykut went straight into the net and gave the advantage to his opponent who struck two fierce aces to trot on to finish it off in great fashion.
The second set was a one-sided affair as the World No.656, Sykut, took lead in the initial games of the set that was never recovered by his opponent; he smashed three aces and broke twice on trot and once in the last game of the
set to settle the score with one set apiece. He bagged the second set with a difference of seven points. Stage was set for an epic third set and everyone was curious to see both players back in action.
Disappointingly Zivkovic dominated the third set and never allowed his opponent to bounce back and make it interesting for the viewers. He struck an ace and forced three double-faults from his opponent that helped his cause to
clinch the final set. He broke twice in succession and won 34 points compared to just 25 of his opponent in the final set.
Zivkovic now moves into the first round of the main draw where he locks horns with the Colombian, Juan Sebastian Cabal.
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