Frederico Gil edges past Steve Darcis into the main round – Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters 2012
Eighth seed, Frederico Gil of Portugal, succeeded in upsetting top seed, Steve Darcis of Belgium, in three sets 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(5) in the final round of the qualifying draw at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters in Monaco on Sunday. The
Belgian required two hours and six minutes to come out victorious from a tough battle.
Gil made the best possible start, as he captured opening three games of the first set to attain a 3-0 lead. The Portuguese sustained his advantage till the end of the set, claiming it 6-3.
Ranked 132nd in the world, Gil gave mixed serve performance, as he failed to hit any ace and committed a single double fault, converting 15 of the first deliveries into points in the opener. The Portuguese put away all
the three break threats he faced and availed one of the three chances he created.
Gil was looking to close out the match quickly, as he broke the Belgian in the first game of the second set and held his following serve to grab a 2-0 lead. However, Darcis responded quickly to even out the score at 2-2. The Belgian
struck again in the eighth game and served it out at 5-3.
Darcis banged in a single ace and 76 percent of the first deliveries, claiming 18 of the 25 points on them. The Belgian failed to perform well on the second serves and returns, as he lost six of the eight and both points on them
respectively. Nevertheless, he made the difference with first replies, converting 11 of the 18 of them into points in the second set.
Opposite to the second set, Darcis struck in the opening game of the decider and consolidated on it to build a 2-0 advantage. However, this was the Portuguese’s turn to fight back, as he levelled the score at 3-3. Gil and Darcis
exchanged breaks of serve in the next couple of games to take it to 4-4. They held during rest of the set to square off the score at 6-6, forcing a tie-breaker. The Portuguese hit a blow early and capitalised on it to win 7-6(5).
Gil and Darcis failed to save both of the break points they faced in the final set. However, the Portuguese was better than his opponent in most of the other departments.
The 27-year-old will take on Mikhail Youzhny of Russia in the first round of the main draw.
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