Florent Serra passes over Adrian Cruciat into final qualies – BRD Nastase Tiriac Trophy 2011
With the 2011 season leaning towards its end, the BRD Nastase Tiriac Trophy 2011 continued with its 2nd qualifying round today, Sunday, 18th September. Playing at the Capital, Bucharest, Romania, Florent Serra,
Frenchman, went on hampering the local lad, Adrian Cruciat winning 6-3, 7-5 and into the final qualifier. It took the Frenchman an hour and twenty minutes to outdo the local player, disappointing the home crowd.
Clashing out for the first time, the former world No.36, Serra was a better contender than the lower ranked Romanian. Comparatively, the Frenchman has been playing most of his prior matches on clay. However, his win ratio was less
than that of his competitor. Nevertheless, the two put up a pleasing match for a handful of spectators.
Serving for the starter, Serra opened up the match and the scoreboard, 1-0. Following up with the Frenchman, Cruciat levelled up the scores and stood the return the world No.146 once again. With the third game on its way, Serra
serve-broke-served the Romanian, taking a commanding lead in the set, 4-1.
With just 2 games to win, the 30-year-old Frenchman had a tough time ending the set. Winning game 6, Cruciat switched the serve hoping to break the Frenchman; however, Serra had a stronger defence. Serving out 2 out of the 4 game,
right hander ended the set wining 6-3.
Moving onto the 2nd set, the Romanian put forward a greater offence to defend. Saving a breakpoint in the first game, Cruciat took the lead and switched the serve. Following the 28-year-old Romanian, Serra levelled up
the scores at 1-1.
The two rallied passed games as they won on their respective serves levelling up at 2-2, 3-3, 4-4 and lastly on 5-5. Cruciat, serving for game 11, fell short of defence weaponry and gave away a breakpoint. Taking advantage of the
breakpoint Serra fired up with bullet like forehands and mumbled through the final game, game 12, and took away the set winning 7-5.
Serra held a strong 1st serve accuracy percentage throughout the tie winning 84 percent of the serves. The two breakpoints added to the Frenchman’s win along with the 10 aces. Captivating 46 service points and 25 returners,
the 30-year-old totalled 71 points against 55 of Cruciat.
Nevertheless, the two put forward a good show. The successor now qualifies into the final qualifier of the Bucharest Open 2011 to play against compatriot Razvan Sabau for the main draw seat.
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