Ernests Gulbis bounces over Christian Harrison in qualifiers – BNP Paribas Open 2013
Latvian contender, Ernests Gulbis, made an epic come from a set down to outsmart the local wild card entrant, Christian Harrison, in a three-set thriller at the BNP Paribas Open 2013 on Tuesday. He nudged up a 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4 victory against the 18-year-old
to power into the second round at the qualifying competition at this ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) Masters 1000 event held in Indian Wells, United States.
Seeded top in the qualifying competition at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, Gulbis was outclassed in the opening set tie-breaker. However, he quickly picked up his game and eventually inched closer towards qualifying for a spot in the main draw. Both contenders
were battling each other for the first time and after this victory, the Latvian comfortably progressed into the final qualifying round.
In the opening set, both players played their best tennis. They displayed brilliant defensive skills and dragged the set to a tie-breaker. The teenager, however, got the breakthrough in it and subsequently clinched the opener with a 7-6(5) score line.
Gulbis turned the tables on the youngster in the proceeding set. He went on a five-game killing spree before Harrison could snatch a break back. The Latvian held his serve once again and eventually grabbed the equaliser with a 6-2 win.
Ranked 67th in the Emirates ATP World Tour Rankings, Gulbis maintained his intensity in the deciding set. He got the coveted break in the third game and leaped to a 3-1 lead. The Latvian then held his remaining serves with poise and clicked the
decider with a 6-4 success.
Next up for the Latvian seed is the Belgian challenger, Olivier Rochus. Rochus stunned his 21st seeded compatriot, Ruben Bemelmans, in straight sets to set up this clash.
The qualifying second seed, Michael Russell, will accompany Gulbis in the final qualifying round. He crippled the Russian challenger, Igor Kunitsyn, with a breadstick to progress. The local seed dominated in the opening set before closing out the victory
with a 6-1, 7-6(5) score line.
Russell will square off against his wild card compatriot, Bobby Reynolds, who upset the 15th seed, Flavio Cipolla, in straight sets to reach this spot.
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