Michael Chang upset by Aaron Krickstein in third round of Champions Tour Singles – Delray Beach 2012
Former world number two, Michael Chang of USA, was outlasted by his compatriot, Aaron Krickstein, 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-10, in the third round of the Champion’s Tour singles at the Delray Beach International in Florida, USA on Monday.
Chang and Krickstein broke each other twice in the first 12 games of the opener, equalising the score at 6-6 and taking the set to a tie-breaker. Krickstein snatched double mini-break to win it 7-4.
The American made a comeback in the second set. He needed a single break of serve to claim it 6-4.
However, Krickstein raised the level of his game in the match tie-breaker and allowed Chang to win just six points. The American played brilliantly to win it 10-6.
Both players hit many big serves throughout the match. Chang fired seven aces but Krickstein beat him by delivering 11. Though, Krickstein also committed five double faults compared to zero by his opponent.
The American required an hour and 39 minutes to capture this match.
There was much anticipation about Chang’s clash with former world number one, Ivan Lendl, in the title match but both bowed out of the competition earlier.
In a contest which saw some controversies, 17-year-old Chang upset the then world number one, Lendl, in the fourth round on his way to the French Open crown. Chang hit an under arm ace in the fourth set of that match which gave birth to the controversies.
However, the American thinks that Lendl is a true champion who is a gentleman off the court and a warrior on the court.
Talking to media couple of days back, Chang said, “I think that Ivan is such a champion. I have nothing but the utmost respect for Ivan and I probably had even more respect for him after the French Open. After our match I didn’t see him until Wimbledon a couple of weeks later in London and we saw each other and the first thing he did was walk straight up to me, shook my hand.”
The American added, “That shows me that he’s a gentleman off the court and a warrior on the court. It was an honour to play against him and something that in many ways will go down as a great part of the testament of my career.”
Lendl, who is coaching world number 4 Andy Murray these days, lost to Johan Kriek in straight sets 4-6, 3-6 in the fourth round.
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