Filippo Volandri hits back at Philipp Oswald to enter main draw – Grand Prix Hassan 2013
Qualifying top seed, Filippo Volandri, made an epic comeback from a set down to outclass Austria’s Philipp Oswald in a three-set thriller at the Grand Prix Hassan ii 2013 on Monday. He nudged up a 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 victory against the Austrian to secure a spot
in the main draw at this ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) World Tour 250 series event taking place in Casablanca, Morocco.
The Italian veteran made a drastic entry at this clay court tournament. However, he unleashed his class in the proceeding set and eventually pulled out the victory in one hour and 53 minutes. As a result, Volandri comfortably entered the opening round.
The 27-year-old made a thunderous entry against the highest ranked player of the qualifying event. He drew the first blood in the second game and leaped to a 3-0 lead. Oswald then held his remaining serves with poise and clicked the opener with a 6-3 win.
Volandri re-focused his strategy in the proceeding set. He got the coveted break in the fourth game and jumped to a 4-1 lead. The high flying Italian cashed another break chance in the last game and eventually clinched the equaliser with a 6-2 score line.
The 31-year-old maintained consistency in his game in the deciding set. He smoothly bagged his serves and got the breakthrough in the second last game, eventually sealing the decider by winning six games to three.
On the whole, the Italian withstood seven aces and produced a better first serve share of 79 per cent as compared to his rival’s 64 per cent. He amazingly marked 47 out of 68 points on it and dominated in the match. Volandri brilliantly warded off four out
of five breakpoints he came across and converted three out of nine break chances to his advantage.
Next in queue for Volandri is the former world number 12, Paul-Henri Mathieu from France, in the opening round.
The qualifying second seed, Marc Gicquel, will accompany Volandri in the main draw. He rallied past Austria’s Dominic Thiem in three sets to progress. The Frenchman recorded a 6-4, 1-6, 6-4 score line against Thiem.
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