Joao Sousa, Benjamin Balleret move into the main draw – San Marino CEPU Open 2011 CH
Finishing off on Sunday, 7th August was the final qualifier round of the San Marino CEPU Open 2011. The ATP Challenger event is being played at the Centro Tennis Cassa di Risparmio di Fonte dell'Ovo in the City of San Marino. Facing each other for the third time, Boris Pashanski, Serbian, came head strong against Joao Sousa but failed to win the third fixture and the final qualifier of the CEPU Open.
Although, Boris won the previous two fixtures at Rome Challenger and Orbetello Challenger, the 22-year-old Sousa came up stronger than before. Ranked as world No.198, Sousa had a strong grip on the hard red clay. His returns were powerful and on target. Playing near the net, the young Portuguese was absolutely perfect against his old rival.
However, Boris struggled with double faults on his side. The Serbian was thrashed badly when his defence was broken three times by the Portuguese 22-year-old in the first set.
Perfecting his 1st serve winnings to 79 percent, Sousa also conceived 100 percent of his 2nd return points. Astounding forehands and backhands conjoined with unbreakable defence provided the 22-year-old with the first set win 6-2.
Surprisingly the Portuguese earned most of his points from returners. Out of the total 30 in set1, Sousa won 12 service points and 18 returners.
With strong domination in set 1, Portuguese world No.198 continued to lead in the second set and eventually won the match 6-2 and 6-4. Sousa had his service stats better this time. With 19 service winners and 15 returners, the youngster totalled 64 points overall in 18 games played in the match.
On the other hand, another match played between 2nd qualifying round winners was between Leonardo Kirche, Brazilian, and Benjamin Balleret of Monaco. The first set concluded with scores 7-5 in favour of the Monacan world No.432. Serving 3 aces and with 70 percent of 1st serve winners, Balleret took away the set although his points equalled to that of Kirche. Breaking the Brazilian twice in the first set, the 28-year-old Monacan secured 24 service points and 17 returners totalling 41 points in 12 games.
Balleret proved to be the stronger link as he took away the next set with little intricacy. Winning the set 6-2, the Benjamin Balleret broke his challenger twice again in the second set. Totalling 66 point in both sets, the Monacan secured 40 service points and 26 returners to win his way to the main draws of the San Marino CEPU Open 2011.
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