Grega Zemlja vs Jan Hernych – Match Preview: Eckental Challenger 2011
The 2011 Eckental Challenger will continue on November 3, 2011 with Grega Zemlja (Slovenia) taking on Jan Hernych (Czech Republic).
Both players showed great run in the first round men’s singles competition of the tournament with impressive wins over their respective opponents. Zemlja defeated Martin Fischer (Austria) 7-5, 6-4 while Hernych had defeated Jan-Lennard
Struff (Germany) 7-5, 6-1.
Heading into their encounter on November 3, 2011, both players would have a high morale for their nice run in the tournament. Zemlja, who only has a Davis Cup win under his belt, would want to move further into the tournament to
secure a title win in the ATP Challenger series. He would have to defeat Hernych, ranked 200th in the world, who can be a forceful opponent.
The Slovenian, with a 20/16 win/loss ratio in his career might get some resistance from his Czech opponent, which has a career win/loss ratio of 69/108.
Since Hernych has played more games than Zemlja, it will be the 32-year old Czech, who would be more experienced among the two. Comparing the two in terms of matches played at the ATP Challenger Tour, Hernych has an upper hand.
Zemlja has won 113 matches at the ATP Challenger circuit and lost 102. On the other hand, Hernych has won 141 matches at the ATP circuit and lost 106. The Czech will bring his experience with him against a considerably naive ATP
player and would anticipate a win in the tournament.
As carpet court is used in the Eckental Challenger, it is the Czech player leading the wins on such courts as compared to Zemlja. The Slovenian has won only one match on carpet courts and lost four. On the other hand, Hernych has
won fourteen matches on carpet courts and lost twelve.
The Czech will have an upper hand over the Slovenian, and would probably win the match for his higher experience in ATP circuit matches.
If Zemlja has to win the match, he should be consistent in all of his service games. He should break his opponent’s service games at least twice to create a mental advantage. Zemlja must not feel intimidated by Hernych’s higher
career statistics compared to his, for he can defeat the Czech player provided he does not concede double faults.
Hernych, on the other hand, can maintain his authority in the tournament and in the match against Zemlja. He can win points through aces against Zemlja who might not reply back with his counter attack. It would be a match to watch
because if Zemlja can win the match, he would possibly create somewhat of an upset.
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