Igor Andreev, Marsel Ilhan face upset losses in the first qualifier – Sony Ericsson Open 2012
Arnaud Clement beats Igor Andreev 6-7(8), 6-4, 6-2
Eighth seed, Igor Andreev, failed to clear the first hurdle, as he was surprised by former world number 10, Arnaud Clement of France, in three sets 7-6(8), 4-6, 2-6 in the opening qualifier at the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami in Monday.
Andreev and Clement managed to save all the break threats they faced in the first set, squaring off the score at 6-6 and taking it to a tie-breaker. The Russian succeeded in striking at the end, sealing it 7-6(8).
Unlike the opener, there were three breaks of serve in the second set. Two of those belonged to Clement and the Frenchman served it out at 5-4.
Currently ranked 153rd in the world, Clement started to play like his old days in the decider. The Frenchman dropped just two games, making a couple of breakthroughs to grab it 6-2.
Andreev saved a total of 12 of the 16 break points he faced but also let away six of the seven chances he got in the match.
Clement required two hours and 36 minutes to come out victorious from the contest.
The Frenchman will lock horns with 22nd seed, Paul Capdeville, in the second qualifier. Capdeville ousted Gastao Elias in three sets 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the first round.
Marco Chiudinelli defeats Marsel Ilhan 6-4, 6-1
Another seeded player bowed out of the event, as the wild card entrant, Marco Chiudinelli, upset Marsel Ilhan in straight sets 6-4, 6-1 to move to the second round of the qualifying draw. The Swiss, Chiudinelli, completed a surprise win over the 10th seed in one hour and 18 minutes.
Chiudinelli and Ilhan held their serve in the first six games of the opener to equalise the score at 3-3. The Swiss went ahead after breaking Ilhan in the seventh but the Turk hit back immediately and evened out the score at 4-4. Chiudinelli captured next two games to claim it 6-4.
The Swiss began with a 3-0 advantage in the second set. It was looking like an impossible task to hold serve as each of them was dropping their one after the other. However, it was Chiudinelli who came out as a better player in the end, winning it 6-1.
The Swiss converted two of the four break chances he created and saved six of the seven he faced in the match.
Chiudinelli is slated to play wild card entrant, Sergei Bubka of Ukraine, in the second round of the qualifying draw.
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