Grega Zemlja labours through Antonio Veic in the opening round – PBZ Zagreb Indoors 2012
Slovenian contender, Grega Zemlja, edged past the local wild card entrant, Antonio Veic, in two sets’ tie-breaker at the PBZ Zagreb Indoors 2012 on Wednesday. He clobbered a 7-6(5), 7-6(6) score line against the Croatian youngster to advance into the second
round at this ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) World Tour event held in Zagreb, Croatia.
The Jesenice native, Zemlja, overpowered the 23-year-old local star in both tie-breakers and secured a place in the round of 16. Facing each other for the third time, Zemlja not only maintained his winning record against the Croat but also inched closer
to bag his maiden ATP career title. His previous two meetings were both at the ATP Challenger Tour events.
The Slovene assertively entered the opening set and smoothly bagged entire serves without facing any barrier. He sought two break opportunities but failed to convert any to his advantage, eventually dragging the set to a tie-breaker. Zemlja dominated in
it and clinched the opener with a 7-6(5) score line.
Ranked 121st in the South African Airways ATP World Rankings, Zemlja carried his momentum into the following set and after exchanging a break, he took the set to a tie-breaker. The Slovene outshined in it and ultimately pocketed the set with a
7-6(6) victory.
Zemlja made into the second round through qualifiers at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in the start of the season. However, he lost in the qualifiers at the Australian Open, first of the four Grand Slam event, before entering this tournament.
Next up for the Slovene is the third seed Mikhail Youzhny who warded off late resistance to earn a straight set victory over Ukraine’s Sergiy Stakhovsky.
In another court, Austrian qualifier, Jurgen Melzer, stunned the fifth seeded Italian, Andreas Seppi in straight sets to book a spot in the final eight.
"I need to play matches before Davis Cup, to gain confidence," said the high flying Austrian. "In the first two qualification rounds, I was still jet-lagged having come from Australia on Wednesday night. It was a very good decision to come here to play,
as I'd only be training back in Vienna. I am very happy with the way I am playing at the moment, not quite as I was in 2010, but I don't think you should compare."
Austrian number one defended five out of six breakpoints he came across and capitalised on four out of seven break opportunities, ultimately sealing the match with a 6-2, 6-3 victory in an hour and eight minutes duel.
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