Javier Marti moves it into the final round of the qualifying draw at the 2011 Santos Brasil Open
World number 248 Javier Marti of Spain won his second round match after a hard battle against Martin Alund of Argentina at the Santos Brasil Tennis Open at Santos, Brazil on Sunday. The three-set thriller took two hours and four
minutes to settle at 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, in Marti’s favour.
Playing for the first time against each other, Marti had an excellent kick off to the game, snatching the first set in an aggressive manner though losing the second set to waste the early benefit. However, the Argentine kept his
concentration on the hard-bitten decider and finally emerged victorious in straight sets.
Marti scored 19 out of 28 first serve points in the opening set and started pressurizing his opponent right from the beginning. He kept his momentum throughout the set, winning 100 of his break point opportunities in service and
return. Marti broke his opponent in the ninth game and closed the opening set at 6-4.
An unexpected descent was noticed in Marti’s game, when he bestowed two breakpoints to his contender and just collected 52 percent of service points in total. Regardless of his average performance, Alund made his way through to
the second set with a 5-3 lead. He hit two thundering aces and sewed up the match with 6-3 score line, making the match on even terms with one set a piece.
The third set was the most challenging as both the opponents performed at their best to clinch the decider. Third set didn’t see any ace coming from the players but Alund managed to serve 72 percent of his first serves whereas
Marti stayed behind with a meager 54 percent. A crucial break of serve from Marti in the final set made an end to Alund’s run at the Santos Brasil Tennis Open.
Marti clinched 75 percent of total points in service and 48 percent of points on his total returns. Saving 50 percent of break point opportunities in service and 100 percent in return, Marti won the set with a 6-3 score line.
Marti will be playing against Martin Vassallo Arguello of Argentina in the final round of qualifying draw. Players have never each other before at any ATP World Tour occasion and this will be their first meeting on courts. Arguello
defeated Pedro Ortega of Brazil with double breadsticks in the first round of the men’s qualifying Singles at the Santos Brasil Tennis Open on Sunday.
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