Malek Jaziri overcomes injury-stricken Denys Molchanov in the semis – Green World ATP Challenger
Second seeded Malek Jaziri earned a 6-1, 1-0 retirement victory over the Ukrainian rising star, Denys Molchanov, at the 2012 Green World ATP Challenger on Saturday. As a result, the Tunisian booked a spot in the title-round at this hard court event held
from 10th to 18th March in China.
The 28-year-old was leading 6-1, 1-0 when his rival was forced to retire after enduring severe pain in their second ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) Challenger Tour encounter this month. As a result, Jaziri not only maintained his winning record
against the 24-year-old but also advanced into the final showdown.
Jaziri thundered into the opening set and went on a five-game killing spree before Molchanov could come on the score sheet. The Tunisian then held his serve once more and pulled out the opener with a breadstick.
He produced a slightly lower first serve share of 57 per cent in contrast with the Ukrainian’s 70 per cent and tremendously clicked 13 out of 16 points on it. The Tunisian fended off the lone break chance he came across and converted two out of four break
opportunities to his advantage.
Ranked 104th in the South African Airways ATP World Tour Rankings, Jaziri carried his momentum into the following set and got the desiderated break in the opening game, eventually taking the initial lead.
Molchanov on the other side of net failed to continue due to an injury he sustained during the match, ultimately withdrawing from the tournament at this stage.
The Tunisian is on fire this season as he made two title-round berths. He displayed his superb skills at the Quimper Challenger in France (lost to Dutch star, Igor Sijsling) and at the Kyoto Challenger last week (bowed out to the local star, Tatsuma Ito,
in the final).
Jaziri hasn’t lost a single set at this event. He stomped over the sixth seed, Jimmy Wang, in straight sets to occupy this spot.
Next challenge for the high flying Tunisian is top seeded Go Soeda. The Japanese tumbled over Slovakia’s Kamil Capkovic in straight sets in their fourth Challenger Tour outing. Soeda lost his serve three times but capitalised on five out of nine break opportunities,
consequently sealing the deal with a 7-5, 6-3 score line. The world number 77 dominated in the entire match as he formulated a better first serve share and impressively availed 27 out of 42 points on it.
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