Miloslav Mecir surprises Dominic Thiem in the final qualifier – Slovak Open 2012 CH
World number 498, Miloslav Mecir of Slovakia, played outstandingly to upset the fifth seed, Austria’s Dominic Thiem, in three sets 6-4, 6-7(4), 6-4 the final round of the qualifying draw at the Slovak Open in Bratislava. The marathon
match lasted for two hours and 14 minutes.
Contest was started in a stable manner by both players, as they won their serve in the first eight games to even out the score at 4-4. Thiem stung a break in the ninth and held his subsequent serve without losing even a single
point, closing it 6-4.
The Austrian smacked four aces but his first serve percentage was below average at 55. The 19-year-old had an incredible conversion rate on both his first and second deliveries, as he pocketed 11 of the 12 and nine of the 10 points
on them respectively in the opener.
None of the two players succeeded in striking in the second set, taking the score to 6-6 and forcing a tie-breaker. Mecir claimed a mini-break at the start and sustained his lead till the end to grab it 7-6(4).
The Slovakian contender banged in one ace and 79 percent of the first deliveries, winning 23 of the 30 points on them in the second set. On the other hand, Thiem bombarded five aces and clinched 17 of the 25 first delivery points
but the Austrian was unable to create any break chance.
First four games of the decider went with serves, levelling the score at 2-2. Mecir hit a blow to Thiem in the fifth and consolidated on it to gain a 4-2 lead. The Slovakian participant did not allow his Austrian opponent to bounce
back after that, sealing it 6-4.
Mecir fired a single ace and did not commit any double fault in the final set. The 24-year-old kept his first serve percentage at 55 and won 13 of the 16 points on them. Mecir put away the only break threat he came across and availed
one of the three chances he received.
The local player will face Uladzimir Ignatik of Belarus in the first match of the main draw.
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