Maximo Gonzalez overpowers Caio Zampieri in first round - Sao Leopoldo Challenger 2011
Argentine, Maximo Gonzalez, bounces back set down against the Brazilian, Caio Zampieri, to clinch the second round spot in the Sao Leopoldo Challenger tournament, hosted in Brazil, on Monday October 31st. It was an all-round
competitive encounter between the two contenders that lasted for almost two hours thirty-two minutes and the final score line was 7-6(6), 2-6, 3-6.
These players were meeting for the third time and seventh seed Argentine had a clear cut advantage of 2-0 head-to-head score and history repeated itself once again. Local boy had lost three from his last nine encounters whilst
his competitor had just lost two.
Every factor including superior ranking, previous results and recent form were hinting the result in favour of the 28-year-old Argentine. The only advantage that was available for the 25-year-old Brazilian was in the form of local
crowd and familiar conditions.
First set was an epic thriller. The see-saw battle between the two was the essence of the set. Both players met blow to blow and held on to their serves in the first eight games before they exchanged breaks in the next two to push
the score to 5-5.
Next two games saw an ace from the visitor. Despite the double-fault from the home boy, he held on to his serve and forced a tie-breaker. Crowd loved every bit of this enthralling battle and were chanting for the local favourite.
It was terrific to witness both players battle it out at the court and after a hard fought contest, it was the local boy who held his nerves and came on top with a difference of just single point at the end. He pocketed 41 points
compared to 40 of his opponent; this shows the proximity of talent and skill between the two players.
Seventh seeded, Gonzalez was trailing one set down but he kicked-off the second set with an ace and maintained his domination throughout the set. He broke his opponent’s serve in succession and took 4-0 lead upfront. Zampieri did
managed to win two opportunities to break his opponent’s serve but he failed to capitalize on either of them and lost the second set in disappointing fashion; leaving the crowd dejected.
Total points played in the second set were 47 and Brazilian faced a thumping defeat and could just only bag 28% of the points whilst the rest went to his opponent. Stage was set for a close third set battle and spectators were
looking forward for something like the first set.
Surprisingly third set proved to be disappointing as well and home boy failed to create any impression. He couldn’t break once whilst his opponent broke on two difference occasions that helped him take the lead that was kept till
the end.
A massive difference of 10 points declared the third set in favour of the visitor. He moves into the second round of the tournament where he faces the wildcard entrant, Andre Ghem.
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