Ivan Dodig triumphs over Lleyton Hewitt to reach quarters – Valencia Open 2012
Croatian qualifier, Ivan Dodig, rallied past the former world number one, Lleyton Hewitt, in a three-set mouth-watering battle at the Valencia Open 2012 on Wednesday. He nudged up a 6-1, 3-6, 6-2 victory against the Australian legend to progress into the
quarter-finals at this indoor hard court event held in Valencia, Spain.
The Bosnia and Herzegovina-born Dodig lost his track in the second set, eventually levelling the set scores. However, he sought his rhythm again and pulled out the victory in two hours and three minutes at the Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències. As a result,
the Croat took lead in the FedEx ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) Head 2 Head Series by 1-0 against the 31-year-old and secured a place in the final eight.
Dodig made a thunderous entry at this ATP World Tour 500 Series event. After Hewitt held his serve in the second game, the Croat reeled off five games in a row, eventually sealing the opener with a breadstick. He blocked the only breakpoint he faced and
converted two out of four break chances to his advantage.
Currently ranked 91st in the South African Airways ATP World Tour Rankings, Hewitt re-ignited his spark in the following set. He got the coveted break in the fourth game and jumped to a 4-1 lead. The Aussie held his composure and slid his remaining
serves, ultimately clicking the equaliser with a 6-3 success.
The world number 110, Dodig suffered the initial shock in the opening game and trailed at 0-1. However, he sought his momentum after that and quickly levelled the scores in the very next game. After Hewitt held his serve in the fourth game, the Croat unleashed
his true form and wiped out the last four games, consequently sealing the decider by winning six games to two.
After stealing the show, Dodig set up a date with his top ranked compatriot, Marin Cilic. The seventh seed crushed the former world number seven, Fernando Verdasco, with a breadstick to set up this battle. Cilic was broken once but capitalised on four out
of seven break chances to earn the limelight.
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