Kevin Krawietz enters quarterfinals as Ilija Bozoljac retires – Eckental Challenger 2011
The round robin matches of the men’s singles competition of the 2011 Eckental Challenger continued on November 2, 2011. Ilija Bozoljac (Serbia) clashed with Kevin Krawietz (Germany) with the hopes to enter into the quarterfinals
of the tournament.
It was a blow for the 26-year old Serbian, who was having a decent tournament, as had to retire in his match against the German. Krawietz won the match 7-5, as Bozoljac had to forfeit the game before the start of the second set.
Bozoljac scored eleven aces in the first set and had a great start. He did, however, conceded ten double faults for his aggressive start. His opponent, 19-year old Krawietz delivered four aces with four double faults.
World number 200th, Bozoljac was on the offensive since the beginning of the game. He might want to show dominance on a much younger opponent. Bozoljac, who has three career titles under his name was eyeing for a quarterfinal
berth at the Eckental Challenger. He also played the second round of the 2008 and 2010 Wimbledon Championships but on the ATP Challenger tour, his career statistics stand at154 wins and 115 losses.
He might have defeated the German, who has won only two and lost four games in the ATP division. The Serbian had a lower first serve winning rate against the German. With 54% winning rate secured by Bozoljac, he won 80% points
with his first serve. The Serbian was rusty in terms of saving his breakpoints in the first set. He could save only one breakpoint out of the three chances he got.
The German won the first set, 7-5, for he conceded less double faults. Ranked 357th in the world, Krawietz was better with his serves in the first set as he had a 61% winning ratio on his first serves.
Soon after the first set ended, the Serbian could not continue his play as he had to retire due to an injury. It was unfortunate for Bozoljac to leave the tournament in this fashion, for he could have entered the quarterfinals.
On November 1, 2011, Bozoljac cruised into the second round of men’s singles competition after defeating Andre Begemann (German). In that match, the Serbian struggled in the first two sets, as he could not handle Begemann’s attack.
In the match against Krawietz, the Serbian did play a good first set but was again unable to maintain any lead to win it. It could be the reason for he is a young player, who turned professional in 2008, and has not been on the
tennis courts in big matches in his career.
With Bozoljac retiring from the tournament, the German has cruised into the quarterfinals of the 2011 Eckental Challenger.
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