Malek Jaziri shocks Viktor Troicki to enter quarters – Kremlin Cup 2012
Tunisian star, Malek Jaziri, surprised everyone after upsetting third seeded Viktor Troicki from Serbia in a three-set thriller at the Kremlin Cup by Bank of Moscow 2012 on Wednesday. He penned down a 6-1, 3-6, 6-2 victory against the world number 29 to charge into the final eight at this indoor hard court event held in Moscow, Russia.
Jaziri needed one hour and 40 minutes to outsmart the Serbian seed in their first meeting. After earning the fame, the Tunisian edged in the head-to-head series by 1-0 against Troicki and advanced into the quarter-finals at the Olympic Stadium.
The 28-year-old made quick in-roads at this ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) World Tour 250 Series event. He went on a five-game tear before Troicki could come on the score sheet. Jaziri plucked his serve one again and pulled out the opener with a breadstick. He was never challenged with any breakpoint and cashed two out of four break chances to inch towards glory.
Troicki hit back in the following set. He swiftly bagged his entire serves without facing any hindrance. The Serb got the breakthrough in the sixth game and eventually sealed the equaliser by winning six games to three. He converted one out of three break opportunities to his advantage to get back in contention.
Ranked 112th in the South African Airways ATP World Tour Rankings, Jaziri re-gained his strength in the deciding set. He got the critical break in the fourth game and jumped to a 4-1 lead. The Tunisian held his remaining serves with self-assurance and availed another break chance in the last game, eventually clicking the decider with a 6-2 win.
The Tunisian number one withstood six aces and produced an equal first serve share of 63 per cent. He also amazingly marked 36 out of 47 points on it and ended the match with 80 points.
Next up for Jaziri is Czech Republic’s Lukas Rosol who bounced back to outrun the sixth seed, Denis Istomin from Uzbekistan, in three sets. The Czech veteran was broken once but capitalised on four out of six break opportunities, eventually registering a 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 success.
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