Martin Klizan prevails over Pavol Cervenak in the second round – Bet-at-home Cup 2012
World number 62, Martin Klizan of Slovakia, became the first player to book his place in the last eight-stage, after beating his countryman, Pavol Cervenak, in twin sets 6-4, 6-4 in the second round of the Bet-at-home Cup in Kitzbuhel,
Austria on Wednesday.
Klizan did not show any respite to his country mate and ousted him from the tournament after a fight of one hour and 31 minutes.
The Slovakians started in a steady manner, winning their serve in the first four games to level the score at 2-2. Klizan played exceptionally well in the following two, as he lost just one point and captured eight, grabbing a 4-2
lead. The 23-year-old made the most of his advantage and sealed it 6-4.
Klizan banged in a couple of aces and 53 percent of the first serves, winning 14 of the 17 points on them. He gave a below average performance on the second deliveries and first returns, losing seven of the 15 and 11 of the 15
points on them respectively. Nevertheless, the Slovakian raised his game on the crucial moments, saving both break points he faced and converting one of the two he received in the opener.
In the second set, Klizan and Cervenak started by breaking each other’s opening serve to equalise the score at 1-1. Klizan struck again in the third and consolidated on it to gain a 3-1 lead. He did not lose any of his serve throughout
the set, sealing it 6-4.
Klizan neither hit an ace nor committed any double fault, putting in 57 percent of the first serves and converting 13 of the 16 of them into points. In comparison, Cervenak fired two aces but rest of his performance on the first
serves was not that good, as he kept the percentage on just 52 and won merely seven of the 13 points on them. Klizan, once again, was the better player on important points, utilising two of the three break opportunities he created in the second set.
The Slovakian will take on second seed, Florian Mayer, or Italy’s Simone Bolelli in the quarters.
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