Maxime Authom beats Radu Albot in first round – Loughborough Challenger 2011
On November 9, 2011, the men’s single competition at the 2011 AEGON Loughborough Challenger featured Maxime Authom (Belgium) play against Radu Albot (Republic of Moldova). Authom won the match 6-4, 5-7, 6-3.
As the first set progressed, Authom was on the attack. He could score only a single ace in the set as compared to Albot’s four, but the Belgian was ahead of Albot with his service games. Authom won 93% points from his first serve
and 43% from his second serve. On the other hand, Albot scored 62% points from the first serve and 42% from his second serve.
Authom was unable to save the only breakpoint he faced but this did not reduce his pace as he kept on winning his games. Albot was also slowly progressing in the first set but after winning four games, he still had a two game deficit
as Authom won the first set 6-4.
With the second set underway, both players delivered an ace each. They did not concede any double fault either as they played their service games with caution. Authom looked a bit defensive in the second set. He had a 52% first
serve winning ration as compared to Albot’s 61%.
In the second set, Authom won only 50% points with his first serve as compared to 68% points won by Albot. The Belgian scored more points in the second set with his second serves. He won 60% points with his second serve as compared
to Albot.
The Moldovan, on the other hand, was looking to gain his form in the second set as he went into the lead for the first time in the match. Authom was unable to save any of the three breakpoints he faced while Albot was also unsuccessful
in saving any of the two breakpoints he faced.
Both players were able to break each other’s service games, an indication that they were giving their best to maintain a lead, but the Moldovan had the upper hand in the second set. Albot won the second set 7-5.
As the players won a set each, the third set went underway to determine a winner. Authom delivered a single ace in the third set while Albot scored three. They were again playing controlled service games, which is why neither of
the two players conceded any double fault. In terms of first serve winning ratio, both had a 53% score.
The Belgian was dominant in the third set with his serves as he won 90% points with his first serve and 78% points with his second serve.
Albot was not that successful with his serves as he could manage to win 69% points from his first serve and 36% points from his second serve. Authom was able to restrict Albot from winning more than three games in the second set.
The Belgian won the third set 6-3 and with it won the match to enter the second round of the tournament.
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