Franco Skugor outclasses Mirza Basic in the final qualifying round of the Serbia Open
Sixth seed Croatian, Franco Skugor put up a brilliant show of dominance at the Tennis Center Novak complex in Belgrade, Serbia on Monday to dispense out Mirza Basic from the final round qualies of the Serbia Open. Skugor took down
his opponent from Bosnia and Herzegovina in straight sets, 6-4, 6-2, in just one hour and five minutes to get access to the main draws of event.
Skugor’s win at Belgrade gave him an opportunity to compete for the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) World Tour 250 title. The Croat didn’t lose any set in the three matches he played in the qualifying rounds, winning
all of his encounters in the most assertive manner. Basic posed some resistance in the opening set but dropped his game significantly in the second to let his opponent take the game away.
The 23-year-old Croat fired five aces in the whole matchup, without conceding any double fault. Skugor was extremely brilliant with his serve game and never let his opponent struck a break point throughout the competition. He amazingly
won 28 out of 32 first serve points to get a competitive edge over Basic, who struggled to get his rhythm in the game. The Bosnian had two break opportunities but each time he was denied by the sheer brilliance of Skugor. The Croatian converted three out of
four break chances to seal the contest and feature in the first round of the Serbia Open.
Basic hung in the opener for some time by nabbing 14 of 20 first serve points but failed to cash in the break opportunity gifted by Skugor. The Croat kept clinching crucial points on regularity and one serve break proved more than
sufficient for Skugor to wind up the first set at 6-4.
The sixth seed dropped his serve accuracy to a drastically low percentage of 43 in the next set but he reeled off 9 of 10 points on it as compensation. Skugor stung two serve breaks in the second set and kept pressing Basic to
commit unforced errors. The Croat eventually wrapped up the contest at 6-2, marking an end to Basic’s voyage at Belgrade and booking a berth in the main round of the Serbia Open. Skugor will be facing Marcel Granollers of Spain in his opening round clash at
Belgrade and winner among the two will take on the second seeded Serbian, Viktor Troicki, who received a bye to the second round of the tournament.
Tags: