Matthias Bachinger defeats Izak Van Der Merwe in the opening round – PBZ Zagreb Indoors 2012
Munich native, Matthias Bachinger, stomped over the South African challenger, Izak Van Der Merwe, in straight sets at the PBZ Zagreb Indoors 2012 on Monday. He jolted down a 6-3, 6-3 victory over the world number 118 to advance into the second round at this ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) World Tour 250 series event held in Zagreb, Croatia.
Bachinger stayed on course to bid his maiden ATP career title after overpowering the South African in their first meeting. He required an hour and 27 minutes to not only overpower the 28-year-old but to also booked a spot in the round of 16.
Ranked 93rd in the South African Airways ATP World Rankings, Bachinger confidently entered the Dom Sportova and held his opening serve in the second game at 1-1. After Van Der Merwe held his sever in the fifth game, the German sought his rhythm and went on a four games rampage. He found seven break opportunities and converted two to his advantage, subsequently finished the set at 6-3.
The 24-year-old carried his momentum into the following set and created seven break opportunities again. He capitalised on one of them and ultimately sealed the set by winning six games to three. Bachinger warded off all five breakpoints he encountered and produced a much better first serve share of 80 percent as compared to the South African’s 61 percent.
Summing up the German’s performance, Bachinger held entire serves convincingly and ended the match by winning 75 points as opposed to Van Der Merwe’s 57.
The German displayed tremendous skills last season. He grabbed a title at the Athens Challenger and made title-round appearances at the Pingguo, Nottingham, Granby and Helsinki Challenger Tour events. Regardless of reaching the second round through qualifiers at the Qatar Open this season, Bachinger exited from the opening round at the Australian Open and disappointingly entered this tournament.
Next up for Bachinger is the Dutch number one, Robin Haase, who dumped a local wild card entrant, Kristijan Mesaros, in straight sets to secure this spot.
Top seeded local star, Ivan Ljubicic, will accompany the German in the second round. He battled past the Slovakian rising star, Karol Beck in straight sets to progress at this tournament. The crowd favourite lost his focus in the second game but clinched the decider with a break of serve.
The Croat will next face Michael Berrer who crushed the Swiss qualifier, Marco Chiudinelli, with a breadstick to set-up this meeting.
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