Matteo Viola conquers Dusan Lajovic to reach the main draw – PBZ Zagreb Indoors 2012
Qualifying fourth seed, Matteo Viola, stomped over the Serbian youngster, Dusan Lajovic, in straight sets at PBZ Zagreb Indoors 2012, an ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) World Tour 250 series event taking place on the hard courts in Zagreb, Croatia.
He registered a 6-4, 6-2 success over the 21-year-old Serb to advance into the main draw on Monday.
World number 148, Viola, fended off seven out of eleven breakpoints he came across to earn a straight set victory against the Serb. He spilled several unforced errors and five double faults but capitalised on seven out of 11 break opportunities to book a
spot in the main draw. The contestants previously met each other in the qualifying competition at the Australian Open two weeks ago where the Italian rallied past Lajovic.
The 24-year-old made a shaky entry at the Dom Sportova and gifted away his serve in the opening game. However, he made a fitting reply afterwards as he went on a five games killing spree. Apart from losing his serve in the ninth game, the Italian capitalised
on another break chance in the last game and bagged the opener with a 6-4 success.
The Italian lost his track again in the following set and suffered the first blow in the opening game. However, he not only recovered afterwards but capitalised on four out of seven break opportunities to sack the set with an assuring 6-2 score line.
Lajovic on the other hand found eight break chances in this second set but converted two to his advantage. Adding further to his misery, the Serb failed to keep his serve and eventually exited with disappointment.
Viola will face Poland’s Lukasz Kubot in the main draw of $415,000 event.
Qualifying top seed, Jurgen Melzer, will join the Italian in the main draw after dominating in an all-Austrian battle. He lost his serve in the opening game of the match but after breaking his compatriot’s serve three times, Melzer registered a 6-3 win.
He carried his winning ways in the following set and outshined Martin Fischer completely. The seed earned two early breaks of serve and subsequently went 5-2 up. Regardless of losing his serve in the eighth game, Melzer held his serve once more and pocketed
the set with a 6-4 victory.
Up next for the Austrian is the German veteran, Philipp Petzschner. The Austrian needs to find more break opportunities and improve his defensive skills in order to overpower a higher ranked player.
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