Florian Mayer ousts Filippo Volandri in semi-final – BRD Nastase Tiriac Trophy 2011
Playing out the second semi-final of the BRD Nastase Tiriac Trophy 2011 on Saturday, 24th September, Florian Mayer, German, squashed the Italian former world No.25, Filippo Volandri in straight sets, winning the clay
match 7-6(3), 6-2. Taking an hour and 39 minutes the world No.24 took off for the final showdown run of the ATP Tour 250 event.
Considering his appearance in the Todi Challenger final earlier this month, the Italian was rather disappointed by his performance. Seemingly the second seeded has a comfortable win other than the first set. Comparatively, out
of the two matches the two have played against each other, Mayer has won both the two.
However, as the coin flipped on Volandri’s side and the Italian stood to serve the match opener. Starting up slow, the two battle passed each other on respective serves and levelled up at 1-1, 2-2 and then on 3-3 with Volandri
to serve next for game 7.
Serving out the 7th game, 3-4, the 30-year-old Italian broke his challenger, however, could not take advantage and leaped out in the next game losing a breakpoint. The scores levelled up once again at 5-5 as Mayer won
the 10thgame with 3 game point wins.
The set ended up in a tiebreaker with the Italian to serve first in the game. Although the Italian had a better hold of the game, the second seeded suddenly snatched away the set, 7-6(3), winning the tiebreak, 7-3, and led the
match 1-0.
With the Italian in a do or die situation, seemed determined even after losing the first set. Kicking off with the second set, Mayer served first though he fell short and gave away a breakpoint. Nevertheless, the world No.24 gained
back momentum and broke back instantly levelling up the scores at 1-1.
The German dominated the set next as he served-broke-served next stepping up the gas and took the lead 4-1. Volandri finally gave up, winning one more game and handing off the match to the German. Mayer served out the 7th game
and broke to end set 2, 6-2.
Winning the semi-final in straight sets, the German is now in the hot seat against the world No.43, Pablo Andujar, Spaniard. Although Mayer has had a great run in the ATP tour 250 event, he still has to work out his techniques
against the 25-year-old.
Predictably, Andujar might take the win due to the court, clay. However, if the German plays his natural game he might as well outgun the mighty Spaniard, who has already knocked out the top seed.
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