Dimitar Kutrovsky ousts Dennis Lajola in the opening round – SAP Open 2012
In an all-qualifier clash, Bulgarian ace Dimitar Kutrovsky battled past the crowd favourite, Dennis Lajola, in troublesome three sets at the SAP Open 2012 on Tuesday. He formulated a 6-7(7), 6-3, 7-6(3) success against the 23-year-old to set-up a date with
the top seed at this hard court event held in San Jose, United States.
Currently number 438 in the South African Airways ATP World Rankings, Kutrovsky played his best tennis to overwhelm resilience posed by his fellow qualifier at the HP Pavilion. Facing each other for the first time, the Bulgarian broke Lajola’s serve five
times to secure a spot in the round of 16 at this indoor hard court event.
Lajola made a shaky entry at his home tournament and gifted away his serve in the third game. He not only recovered in the very next game but also dragged the set to a tie-breaker after exchanging two serve breaks. The American outshined Kutrovsky in it
and subsequently pocketed the opener with a 7-6(7) victory.
The 24-year-old on the other end unveiled his true form in the following set. He smoothly plucked in entire serves and got the breakthrough in the fourth game, ultimately sealing the equaliser by winning six games to three.
The highly enthusiastic Bulgarian kept momentum sailing into the decider. He got the desiderated break in the third game and quickly jumped to a 3-1 lead. He then held remaining serves until he lost his concentration in the tenth game and square the scores
at 5-5. The set went to a tie-breaker where Kutrovsky dominated and eventually clinched the final set with a 7-6(3) score line.
Overall, the higher ranked qualifier showed dismal performance in the opening set as he coughed more unforced errors and produced a lower first serve share. However, Kutrovsky raised the bar of his game in the following sets and subsequently got the better
of Lajola.
Next challenge for the Bulgarian is the highest ranked player of the tournament, France’s Gael Monfils, who received a first round bye after being a top four seed at this event.
Another qualifier, Denis Kudla, booked a second round spot earlier that day. He overpowered Jack Sock in an all-American duel in two hours and 15 minutes.
The 19-year-old Kudla lost the second set in the tie-breaker but broke Sock’s serve three times to seal the deal with a 6-4, 6-7(6), 6-3 victory in their first outing. The winning teenager fired nine ferocious aces and committed fewer errors.
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