Denys Molchanov retires to donate Malek Jaziri a title match spot - Pingguo Challenger 2012
Tunisian star, Malek Jaziri, jumped into the title match of the Pingguo Challenger after the Ukrainian contender, Denys Molchanov, retired in the second set of the match due to an injury. The scores at the time were 6-1, 1-0 in
favour of the second seed Tunisian.
In the previous two meetings, it was the same boy who led the match and power downed the Ukrainian. First encounter between the two players was played in the Kazakhstan F4 finale, last year. Molchanov was dumped in straight sets
6-3, 6-2.
The second face-off was in the Kyoto Challenger this month. It was a gruelling three-setter that ended in the favour of the Tunisian again. It seems like Jaziri is building up a massive lead over the Ukrainian that will help generate
some rivalry at the lower ranks as well.
Jaziri kicked-off the match in emphatic fashion; winning a couple of breakpoints early in the set to take an unassailable lead of 4-0. It was not looking good for the Ukrainian who was struggling to make any sort of impact at the
courts.
Another serve hold for the Tunisian pushed the scores to 5-0 and Molchanov was still hunting the first game triumph of the match. It was very embarrassing for the Ukrainian who was expected to put a better show. Unfortunately,
his misery didn’t end there; he slipped miserably during a rally in the final game of the opening set and injured himself.
It raised concerns everywhere at the arena and the Tunisian player also walked over to him for consolation. He received some treatment at the sidelines from his physio and decided to continue the match.
After losing the first game of the second set, the Ukrainian players decided to call the day off. He was not moving freely and knew that it would only worsen his condition. He was in no position to win the encounter for sure. So,
he decided to not risk his body further by fighting for the lost cause.
Malek Jaziri marches on into the title match and faces the likes of the Japanese tennis ace, Go Soeda, for the challenger title.
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