Mirnyi/Nestor battle past Lopez/Verdasco into second round – China Open 2011
Number two seed Max Mirnyi/Daniel Nestor defeated Feliciano Lopez/Fernando Verdasco in a thrilling three setter 2-6, 7-6 (5), 10-5 on Wednesday to advance into the second round of 2011 China Open here at the National Tennis Center
in Beijing, China.
Unseeded at the Association of Tennis Professionals tournament, Lopez/Verdasco had a great start to the match. However, they lost the track in second and third sets of the match to let the opposition team clinch an emphatic victory.
Although the two men have done exceptionally well in the singles world, their record in doubles arena has not been that great. The pair is ranked 113 in the world and they were facing a very stiff challenge against world number
three Mirnyi/Nestor.
Lopez/Verdasco had a dream start to the match as they broke the serve in the very first game of the opening set. Holding on to their service games quite comfortably, they put the opposition team under immense pressure. Teaming
up brilliantly, Lopez/Verdasco looked in complete control of the match as they broke the serve for the second time to earn an impassable 5-2 lead before bagging the opener 6-2.
Mirnyi/Nestor were certainly a bit out of sorts as they missed a few easy scoring opportunities early on. Making unforced errors from the baseline, they let the opportunities pass by. Lopez/Verdasco took complete advantage of thier
mistakes and they smashed blazing forehand and backhand winners all over the court to take driving seat in the match.
Mirnyi/Nestor needed a very special performance to get back into the contest and they did exactly that. The team raised the level of their game play as they showed some great fighting spirit and temperament to stay in the set.
Holding on to their service games, they created doubts in the minds of their rivals.
After some breathtaking tennis was witnessed, the second set moved into a tie-breaker. Mirnyi/Nestor raised the level of their game play as they played the big points really well. Clinching the tie-breaker 7-5, they managed to
even the set score 1-1 to force the match into a decider.
The teams played out of their skins in the final set as the momentum shifted from one side to another. Holding on to their service games, both pairs showed great character and mental strength. The set went into a tie-breaker after
both teams failed to get a break of serve.
Using their vast experience in the doubles arena, Mirnyi/Nestor won the tie-breaker 10-5 to close out the match that lasted for one hour and twenty minutes. They will be hoping to continue their good form in their upcoming matches
at the tournament as well to claim their second title of the year 2011.
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