Juan Monaco defeats Andrey Golubev to advance to the second round of Mutua Madrid Open
Argentinean Juan Monaco, ranked 43rd in the world, qualified for the second round as he rallied past Kazakh Andrey Golubev, ranked 44th in the world, in three sets 2-6, 6-2, 6-2 in the first round of the Mutua Madrid Open at the
La Caja Mágica in Madrid on Sunday. The match lasted for one hour and 37 minutes.
Golubev played aggressive game in the opening set, breaking Monaco twice to claim the set 6-2. The Kazakh hit four aces and 65 percent of the first serves in the opening set, clinching 76 percent of the points on them. In comparison,
Monaco delivered 68 percent of the first serves, converting just 38 percent of them into points. The Argentinean lost both break points he faced in the first set. Whereas, Golubev capitalized on both break point opportunities he created in the opening set.
After losing the first set miserably, Monaco fought back in the second set and grabbled four straight games, breaking his opponent in the first and third game. At 0-4, Golubev won two straight games to reduce Monaco’s lead to 4-2.
Monaco broke the Kazakh again in the seventh game and served out the set at 5-2.
The Argentinean fired two aces and 52 percent of the first serves in the second set. The 27-year-old captured 54 percent of the first service points. On the other hand, Golubev kept his first serve percentage at 75 percent and
won the same percentage of points on his first service in the second set. Monaco converted three of the four break point chances he received in the second set. The Argentinean failed to save the only break point he faced in the second set.
Monaco carried the winning momentum into the final set and broke Golubev twice to seal it 6-2. The right-handed delivered 75 percent of the first serves and converted 87 percent of them into points in the third set. While, Golubev
could not serve that well as he delivered 42 percent of the first serves and claimed 45 percent of the points on them. The Kazakh returned service poorly, winning just 13 percent of the points on his first returns. In comparison, Monaco clinched 55 percent
of the points on his first returns. The Argentine did not face any break point in the deciding set. The six feet one and inch tall won two of the four break points he received in the final set.
Monaco will take on world either number 133 Ivo Karlovic of Croatia or French Gael Monfils, ranked 10th in the world, in the second round.
Tags: