Jurgen Melzer overpowers Philipp Petzschner to reach the second round – PBZ Zagreb Indoors 2012
Austrian ace, Jurgen Melzer, trounced the German rising star, Philipp Petzschner, with a breadstick at the PBZ Zagreb Indoors 2012 on Tuesday. He clobbered a 6-1, 6-3 victory over the 27-year-old German to secure a place in the round of 16 at this ATP (Association
of Tennis Professionals) World Tour 250 series event.
Melzer, who was the top seed in the qualifying competition at this event, hammered gigantic forehands and backhands to oust the German for the first time in their fourth outing. The Austrian not only lowered trail in the FedEx ATP head2head series by 1-3
but also inched closer to bag his fourth ATP title.
The Austrian number one thundered at Dom Sportova and drew the first blood in the opening game. He maintained his intensity afterwards and wiped out the last four games in row to register this assuring 6-1 success. Melzer kept entire serves without facing
any real challenge and cashed in all three break opportunities to rule.
The 30-year-old kept momentum sailing into the last set and easily held his serve in the opening game. He continued hammering angled shots from his box of tricks and swiped in remaining serves. Melzer then found the breakthrough in the seventh game after
cashing in the only break chance and clinched the set with a 6-3 score line.
The left-handed Austrian exited from the opening rounds at the Brisbane International and the Australian Open but he outclassed the French number two, Gael Monfils, at the Kooyong ATP Exhibition event. He rebounded at this event and ousted his opponents
in straight sets in the qualifiers before reaching this spot.
Next challenge for the top Austrian is the fifth seed, Andreas Seppi, who warded off late resistance by Daniel Brands to advance at this tournament. The Italian broke Brands’ serve twice, once in each set, and ultimately registered a 6-4, 7-6(1) score line
in an hour and 26 minutes battle on Monday.
Sixth seed Marcos Baghdatis awaits Melzer in the second round. He made an epic comeback from a set down to overpower the Czech challenger, Lukas Rosol, in a three set thriller to reach this spot. The Cypriot dusted away three out of seven breakpoints he
came across and capitalised on six out of 12 break chances to seal the match with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 score line.
Baghdatis will next face the Polish contestant, Lukasz Kubot, who eased past the Italian qualifier, Matteo Viola, with a breadstick to set-up this clash.
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