Denys Molchanov upsets Ze Zheng in the quarter-finals - Pingguo Challenger 2012
Ukrainian tennis professional, Denys Molchanov, survives a gruelling three-setter test of the Chinese contest, Ze Zheng, in the quarter-final of the Pingguo Challenger. The match finally ended with the final scores of 4-6, 7-6(6),
7-6(4) in favour of the Ukrainian.
The match commenced with a breakthrough for the Chinese, who was broken back in the fourth game that levelled the scores at 2-2. There was a stiff battle between the two players who tested each other strongly in all departments.
The Chinese player found an opening in the ninth game; broke serve to take the lead and held her serve successfully in the final game to clasp the first set.
Molchanov had to mount a climb after losing the opening set. He broke serve immediately in the second set but was broken back in the following game that levelled the scores at 2-2. Fortunately for the Ukrainian, he won another
breakpoint to take the lead that was kept intact until the scores moved on to 5-4 in his favour.
In a ‘do or die’ situation the Ukrainian failed to deliver and the scores were dragged to 5-5. A tie-breaker round was enforced to decide the set. Molchanov dumped the Chinese early to win a mini-break that tied the set scores.
The final set witnessed a taxing clash after an initial outbreak at both ends. A trade of breakpoints kept the scores together. There was no drama witnessed until the tie-breaker round but both players were under the cosh on their
serves. They fought hard throughout the third set; created several opportunities to break serve but wasn’t able to get control of the proceedings.
The second successive tie-breaker round was won by the Ukrainian who marched into the semi-final stage of the tournament. It is something that the Ukrainian had been eyeing for a long period of time and his outstanding performance
turned the tables on his opponent and made him the deserving semi-finalist of the tournament.
It was one of the biggest upsets that were recorded in the tournament. After winning this match, Molchanov becomes the hot favourite to win the contest.
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