Ivan Dodig outmuscles Philipp Kohlschreiber to enter round two – Valencia Open 2012
Croatian qualifier, Ivan Dodig, tumbled the German number one, Philipp Kohlschreiber, in straight sets at the Valencia Open 2012 on Monday. He nudged up a 6-2, 7-6(6) victory against the Swiss resident to progress into the second round at this ATP (Association
of Tennis Professionals) indoor hard court event taking place from 20th to 28th October in Spain.
The former Top 50, Dodig showed superb skills to shock Kohlschreiber for the first time in their third encounter. After stealing the limelight in one hour and 50 minutes, the Croat lowered trail in the FedEx ATP Head 2 Head Series by 1-2 against the world
number 18 and secured a place in the round of 16 at the Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències.
The Bosnia and Herzegovina-born Dodig stormed into this ATP World Tour 500 Series event. He drew the first blood in the second game and jumped to a 3-0 lead. The Croat continued hitting angled shots and kept his remaining serves. He capitalised on another
break chance in the last game and clinched the opener with a 6-2 score line. He amazingly blocked all four breakpoints he came across and availed two out of six break chances.
Currently ranked 110th in the South African Airways ATP World Tour Rankings, Dodig carried his rhythm in the following set. He dusted away both breakpoints he came across to keep his entire serves. The Croat’s four break opportunities became fruitless
but he dominated in the tie-breaker, eventually sealing the set with a 7-6(6) win.
The 27-year-old ruled throughout the battle. He spilled equal number of double faults but fired 11 aces to prevail. Dodig clobbered a higher first serve share of 61 per cent as compared to his rival’s 55 per cent and tremendously marked 36 out of 45 points
on it. He finished the match with 82 points and advanced at this event.
Dodig will face off the former world number one, Lleyton Hewitt. The Australian wild card entrant stunned fourth seeded Juan Monaco in straight sets to set up this clash. Hewitt cashed three out of five break chances and earn the glory.
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