Michael Berrer hits back at Andrey Golubev to reach main draw – Kremlin Cup 2012
German veteran, Michael Berrer, bounced back to outsmart the qualifying eighth seed, Andrey Golubev, in a three-set thriller at the qualifying competition of Kremlin Cup 2012 on Monday. He summed up a 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory over the world number 155 to secure
a place in the main draw at the Olympic Stadium in Moscow, Russia.
Seeded fourth in the qualifying competition, Berrer made a drastic start at this indoor hard court event. However, he brought his experience into handy and subsequently overpowered the Kazakh in their first encounter. As a result, the German comfortably
advanced into the first round and stayed on track to capture his maiden career ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) title.
The 25-year-old made a convincing entry at this ATP World Tour 250 Series event. He smoothly held his entire serves after sending away the only breakpoint he faced. Golubev got the breakthrough in the second last game by cashing one out of four break chances
and clinched the opener with a 6-4 score line.
Berrer carried his losing ways in the following set. He lost his serve in the third game and went 1-2 down. However, the German not only snatched his break back in the very next game but kept his remaining serves with ease. He availed another break chance
in the last game and pulled out the equaliser with a 6-4 score line.
Ranked 110th in the South African Airways ATP World Tour Rankings, Berrer maintained his intensity in the final set which counted the most. He got the critical break in the second game and leaped to a 3-0 lead. The German plucked his remaining
serves with poise and eventually clicked the decider with a 6-3 win.
The 32-year-old will face off the Dutch contestant, Igor Sijsling, in the opening round.
The Kazakhstani challenger, Evgeny Korolev, will accompany Berrer in the main draw. He slaughtered the local wild card entrant, Richard Muzaev, with a bagel and a breadstick to progress. Korolev was never threatened with any trouble and capitalised on five
out of nine break chances to formulate a 6-0, 6-1 victory.
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