Flavio Cipolla vs Aljaz Bedene – Semi-final Preview: Loughborough Challenger 2011
The semi finals of the men’s singles competition at the 2011 AEGON Loughborough Challenger will continue on November 12, 2011 between Flavio Cipolla (Italy) and Aljaz Bedene (Slovenia).
World number 80th, Cipolla, would be looking forward to enter the finals of the tournament. On the other hand, world number 178th, Bedene would also be eyeing a spot in the finals in the quest to increase
his world rankings.
Both players will be playing each other for the first time in the semi finals, and it will be an encounter which none of the two would be willing to lose. The final spot would mean dear to them for it would be an excellent opportunity
for them to make a mark in the ATP circuit.
In their ATP Challenger career, Bedene has a win/loss ratio of 20/10. On the other hand, Cipolla would have an upper hand for he has a win/loss ratio of 134/130.
The Slovenian would be looking to for an easy win in the match as he has played more ATP Challenger matches, something he would use as an added advantage.
Bedene would have to look for Cipolla’s service games for the Italian player can take a dominating lead with his service games. The Slovenian has delivered forty aces in his career while Bedene has scored only eighteen.
If the Slovenian has an advantage with his aces, he must not take his opponent lightly. Bedene has won 79% of his service games as compared to the 60% service games, which Cipolla has won in his career.
Cipolla can counter Bedene’s aces with his service games and take a lead over Bedene. But the Italian would try to break Bedene’s serves to make him lose any chance of winning in straight sets.
Both players have been having a great run in the current 2011 AEGON Loughborough Challenger. Cipolla won his first round game against Alexander Ward (Great Britain) in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2. In the second round match, Cipolla
defeated compatriot Simone Vagnozzi 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. In the quarterfinals, he beat Andreas Haider-Maurer (Austria) 6-4, 2-6, 7-5.
Bedene has also played well in this tournament when he defeated Ivo Klec (Slovakia) in the first round in straight sets, 6-3, 6-1. In the second round match, Bedene beat Daniel Evans (Great Britain) 7-6 (4), 6-1. In the quarterfinals,
Bedene again won in straight sets over Andreas Beck (Germany), 6-2, 6-4.
Keeping their current record of the tournament in mind, they both can create hurdles for each other as they can play good defensive tennis provided they do not get frustrated in giving double faults to their opponents.
It would be an interesting semi final, as the two will bring their best game on the court.
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