Maximilian Abel and Riccardo Ghedin clear the second round qualifiers – Istanbul Challenger 2012 CH
Maximilian Abel upsets Denis Matsukevitch 3-6, 7-6(3), 6-2
World number 481, Denis Matsukevitch received a shocker at the hands of the German, Maximilian Abel in the second qualifier round of the Istanbul Challenger. The German professional prevailed over his rival after a tough encounter, 3-6, 7-6(3), 6-2, on the eve of Sunday.
The 30-year-old German was unable to clinch momentum in the opening set and Matsukevitch broke his rival’s serve in the third game, nailing a crucial breakthrough to get into the driving seat. He advanced in the set with immense confidence, smashing accurate volleys and forehands, ultimately stamping a 6-3 score line to get one up in the match.
Unfortunately, the Russian was unable to clinch the lead in the subsequent set. Abel broke his rival’s serve a handful of times and effectively engraved his 5-4 lead by the end of ninth game. However, the 26-year-old Matsukevitch struggled hard to sustain his initial momentum and evened out the scores twice towards the end. The set ended in a tie-break, where Abel maintained his lead and closed the set with a 7-6(3) win.
Compared to the previous sets, the decider proved to be an easy test for the German veteran and he skilfully maintained his lead to the top, breaking his rival’s serve in the fourth and eighth games. Abel lunged forward without facing any hindrance and closed the set with a 6-2 score.
The duo has encountered each other for the second time and the German right-hander maintains his 2-0 lead in the head 2 head series. If he continues forward with a same upbeat, he can surely regain his lost glory.
Riccardo Ghedin defeats John Peers 6-2, 6-4
Ranked 293rd in the ATP Rankings, Riccardo Ghedin rallied past John Peers in the second qualifying round of the Istanbul Challenger. The right-hander Italian summed up his 6-2, 6-4 win against his opponent on Sunday.
The Aussie commenced the opening set but was unable to secure any lead. The 26-year-old Italian drew the first blood and broke his rival’s serve in the third game, bringing the score line to 2-1. Peers was unable to counter the strength of his rival and miserably failed to assert any dominance. Ghedin confidently progressed without facing any resistance and jolted down a 6-2 lead.
In the second set, a similar pattern prevailed, and the 24-year-old Aussie struggled hard to even out the scores. He was unable to sustain his initial serve, donating the initial two games to his Italian competitor to mark his 2-love lead. Ghedin carried on his winning impetus and nudged forward his 6-4 win.
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