Maxime Authom beats Alberto Brizzi in final qualifier – San Marino CEPU Open 2011 CH
Progressing on Sunday, 7th August were the final qualifier matches for the main draw of the San Marino CEPU OPEN 2011, an ATP Challenger Tour event. Played at the Centro Tennis Cassa di Risparmio di Fonte dell'Ovo in
the City of San Marino, a special red clay circuit was levelled up for the Challenger event. Also, the final qualifier round for the event went off as Maxime Authom, Belgian, cleared his way to the main draws beating local lad, Alberto Brizzi in a blistering
3 set match ending 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(7).
The two stars had their first meeting in the final qualifier round on Sunday. Although the two played equally well, there was only one spot in the main draws.
Authom had already proved invincible, clearing his previous round effortlessly. With the same kind of presence in his final qualifier round, the Belgian blistered the Italian in the start but dropped back in the second. However,
the 24-year-old held his nerves and went through the decider winning the tiebreaker.
Kicking off with the match, Authom served first for the opener. The 24-year-old won 88 percent of his 1st serves. Together with a strong defence, the Belgian stormed his rival with 5 aces and broke him once in the set.
Securing 23 service points and only 8 returners, Authom dominated the first set winning by 31 points in total and taking the lead in the match.
However, the Italian world No.273 made a strong comeback winning set 2 with the same score he lost in set 1. The Italian breached the Belgians defence twice to bag the set 6-3. Totalling 33 points that included 18 service points
and 15 returners, Alberto levelled the match scores to 1-1 and onto the decider.
Undoubtedly, the third set was the only shot to the main draw seat. Never the less only one could pass buy the knockout. The set started off with the young 24-year-old serving first once again in the match. The set fired up as
both broke each other twice in the set. The 12 games set continued to boil up and finally stuck off on a tie breaker.
The Belgian proved himself to be a better controller of pressure games as he kicked away the tiebreak and won the game, set and the match and nonetheless a seat in the main draws winning 7-6(7).
The final score read 6-3, 3-6 and 7-6(7). The 15 games match was certainly worth a watch for the fans though went home disappointed. The close game ended with a mere two point difference in the end. However, the Belgian enjoyed
his win as he now sits in the main draws of the San Marino CEPU OPEN 2011.
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