Mikhail Youzhny disappoints locals; overruns Philipp Petzschner – Mercedes Cup 2011
Kicking off on Tuesday July 12, 2011 was the 1st round match of the Mercedes Cup 2011 between Mikhail Youzhny of Russia and Philipp Petzschner of Germany. Mikhail is currently at World No.17 after Stanislas Wawrinka
at No.16 whereas Petzschner ranks at world No. 76. The match was played at the TC Weissenhof Court in Stuttgart, Germany. This was the 4th time both players came head-to-head on clay court.
Mikhail had dominated the rivalry with a 2-1 lead before the fixture of the Mercedes Cup. Previously the two rivals had played each other twice in the BMW open and in the Davis Cup World Group semi-finals. The 29-year-old Russian
has a highest career ranking of World No.8 and is known by his strong forehand shots whereas the former world No.35, Philipp, is best at serves.
The match started off as the Russian served for the opening game and opened up the score board as well. Serving second, Philipp seemed to be the last hope for the home fans to cheer for but that was until the first breakpoint in
game 2 and Youzhny went on leading the score board 2-0. Winning on their respective serves, the scores went on to 4-2. Philipp managed to win a breakpoint to lessen the lead to 4-3 but that was as far as he could do. The Russian slammed the next two games
along with a breakpoint winning the first set 6-3.
Mikhail won the 3rd breakpoint of the match in opening game of the second set. Immediately, he won the second game on his serve leading the scoreboard 2-0. The match went on with both players winning their respective
serving game changing the scores to 5-3 in game 17. Philipp served game 18 and the last game of the set and the match. With a striking forehand the Russian World No. 17 pulled of a breakpoint winning the game, set and the match with final scores at 6-3, 6-3.
A view of the stats showed that Philipp could save only 3 of the 7 breakpoints converted. Managing to win only 15 returners and 30 service winners, the German had a total of 45 points in the match against the Russians 63.
The tour had yet again proved to be unlucky for the home fans. The dominators, the Spaniards and the Argentineans, have succeeded yet again to make it to the 2nd stage of the Mercedes Cup but can the Russians make their
mark this time round?
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