Illya Marchenko stuns Josselin Ouanna to reach semis – Siberia Cup 2012 CH
Ukraine’s Illya Marchenko stomped over the second seed, Josselin Ouanna, in straight sets at the Siberia Cup 2012 on Friday. He nudged up a 7-5, 6-4 victory against the world number 120 to charge into the final four at this ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals)
Challenger Tour event taking place in Tyumen, Russia.
Seeded fifth in this event, Marchenko showed flawless skills to upset the French in their first encounter. After recording the victory in one hour and 33 minutes, the Ukrainian secured a place in the last four at these Russian courts.
Marchenko made a convincing entry at this indoor hard court event. He lost his serve once and trailed early in the set. However, the Ukrainian broke his rival’s serve twice and ultimately pulled out the opener with a 7-5 score line. He brushed off one out
of three breakpoints he came across and cashed both break chances to inch towards the limelight.
Ranked 139th in the South African Airways ATP World Tour Rankings, Marchenko carried his rhythm in the following set. He quickly plucked his entire serves with conviction and required a single break of serve to seal the victory with a 6-4 score
line. He was never challenged with any hindrance and converted the lone break chance to his advantage.
The 25-year-old spilled several unforced errors including five double faults. He also produced a lower first serve share of 60 per cent as opposed to his rival’s 68 per cent. However, Marchenko spectacularly clinched 34 out of 40 points on it. The Ukrainian
also fired four ferocious aces and ended the match with 69 points.
Next up for Marchenko is the sixth seed, Igor Kunitsyn from Russia. The seed crushed his qualifying compatriot, Valery Rudnev, with a breadstick to set up this meeting.
The fourth seed, Ivan Sergeyev, will accompany Marchenko in the final four. He failed to block the lone breakpoint he came across but availed four out of nine break chances to outclass his fellow citizen, Denys Molchanov. The world number 155 produced a
better first serve share of 70 per cent as compared to his rival’s 51 per cent and clicked 23 out of 32 points on it.
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