Martin Fischer stuns Mikhail Kukushkin in the qualifiers – Grand Prix Hassan II 2012
Austrian contender, Martin Fischer, upset the qualifying top seed, Mikhail Kukushkin, in two sets’ tie-breaker at the Grand Prix Hassan II on Sunday. He penned down a 7-6(7), 7-6(6) victory against the Kazakh to secure a place in the final round of the qualifying
competition at this clay court event held in Morocco.
The 25-year-old outmuscled Kukushkin in both tie-breakers to inch closer towards the main draw at this ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) World Tour 250 series event. After earning the fame in this two hours and seven minutes duel, Fischer avenged
his loss at the Bergamo Challenger two years ago.
Fisher made a nervy start at the Complexe Al Amal and suffered the first blow in the sixth game, eventually falling at 2-5. However, he rebounded after that and snatched his break in the ninth game. The Austrian then held his remaining serves and enforced
a tie-breaker. He cruised to a 3-0 lead before pulling out the opener with a 7-6(7) win.
Ranked 231st in the South African Airways ATP World Tour Rankings, Fischer lost his serve early on in the proceeding set. Regardless of recovering in the very next game, he gifted away his serve again in the ninth game and trailed at 4-5. However,
he quickly counter attacked again and dragged the set to another tie-breaker. The Austrian showed brilliant skills and agility in it, ultimately sealing the deal with a 7-6(6) score line.
All in all, Fischer saved three out of six breakpoints he faced and capitalised on three out of five break chances. He also manifested a better first serve share of 57 per cent as opposed to the Kazakh’s 51 per cent and registered an impressive 36 out of
50 points on it.
Up next for the Austrian is Algeria’s Lamine Ouahab who surprised the seventh seed, Florent Serra, in straight sets to occupy this spot. The world number 752 was broken down four times but cashed in six out of 14 break chances to manipulate a 7-6(3), 6-2
success. He also clobbered a slightly higher first serve share and availed 24 out of 40 points on it.
Tags: