Illya Marchenko trounces Igor Kunitsyn to enter final round – Siberia Cup 2012 CH
Ukrainian contender, Illya Marchenko, stomped over the sixth seed, Igor Kunitsyn, in straight sets at the Siberia Cup 2012 on Saturday. He juggled up a 6-3, 6-3 victory against the 31-year-old to secure a place in the title-round at this ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) Challenger Tour event held in Tyumen, Russia.
Seeded fifth in this tournament, Marchenko tumbled the local seed for the first time in their third encounter to book a spot in the final showdown. The Ukrainian needed one hour and 22 minutes to avenge his loss at the AEGON International in Eastbourne and to inch closer towards the title.
Marchenko made a convincing entry at this indoor hard court event. He smoothly bagged his entire serves with poise and got the breakthrough in the eighth game, eventually sealing the opener by winning six games to three. The Ukrainian dusted away both breakpoints he came across and converted one out of three break chances to his advantage.
Ranked 139th in the South African Airways ATP World Tour Rankings, Marchenko kept momentum rolling in the following set. He got the coveted break in the fifth game and jumped to a 4-2 lead. The Ukrainian held his entire serves with conviction and capitalised on another break chance in the last game, eventually clicking the set with a 6-3 win.
All in all, the 25-year-old produced a lower first serve share of 57 per cent as opposed to the Russian’s 75 per cent. However, he superbly marked 23 out of 31 points on it. Marchenko smashed two aces and ended the deal with 66 points in contrast with the former world number 35’s 44 points.
Marchenko will square off against top seed Evgeny Donskoy. The local rising star overpowered fourth seeded Ivan Sergeyev in straight sets to set up this epic clash.
The world number 81, Donskoy fended off late resistance to outshine Sergeyev in their first encounter. He quickly slid his entire serves without facing any barrier. The Russian cashed two out of four break chances to manipulate a 6-3, 7-6(2) success. He fired six aces and sealed the deal in 74 points.
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