Mischa Zverev scorches Andrey Golubev in three sets – Genova Challenger 2011
Starting off with the first round matches of the Genova Challenger 2011, Andrey Golubev had a bright light shining above his head regarding his performance in challenger before it was switched off by a well prepared Mischa Zverev.
Playing at the Terzo Memorial Giorgio Messina, the two fought out for two hours and eight minutes approximately before the German came back up from one set down to slam down the Kazakhstani, Golubev. The two have been head-to-head
three times including this fixture.
Speculating their prior meetings, Golubev, world No.98 should have won, as he had beaten the German in their previous 2 meetings. However, the tables turned firstly because Golubev had been losing most of his matches played lately
and secondly all of his previous 9 matches were on fast hard circuits.
On the other hand, playing most of his matches on clay lately, Zverev had a better idea of how the court would react. Although he had been performing poorly winning only 2 matches out of the last 10, still he got lucky as he secured
an upset win.. Anyhow, the German still got lucky and walked away with a win.
Kicking off with the match, the 24-year-old German took on the opening game of the match and put himself on the scoreboard, 1-0. The Kazakhstani levelled up at every point the German took lead. With game 8 ending with a breakpoint
save by Golubev, he then hampered the German world No.115 breaking him and taking the lead 5-4. The set ended in favour of the Kazakhstani as he blistered game 10 of the first set to win 6-4.
Continuing with the match with a 5 minutes rest, the German once again took chance to open up first and opened up the scoreboard, 1-0, saving a breakpoint. Both players seemed equally matched as for the second time in the match,
both players did not lose any breakpoint until game 10 of the set.
With scores levelled up at 4-4, Zverev served for game 9 and took the lead 5-4. He then levelled up the match scores breaking the Kazakhstani in game 10 to win 6-4. With both players on equal terms, the two went on to play the
decider set.
Zverev, 24, served for the set opener once again and took off winning game 1, 1-0. Levelling the score next, Golubev won game 2 and switched the serve. blistering the next two games, the German pulled off with a 2 games lead winning
game 3 and breaking his rival in the next to lead 3-1. However, Zverev broke back instantly and levelled up at 3-3 winning game 6.
With scores again levelled up at 4-4 Zverev repeated the second set ending winning game 9 and surprising the Kazakhstani with a breakpoint taking away game 10, set 6-4 and the match 4-6, 6-4, 6-4.
Sitting in round 2 off the Challenger tour, the German world No.115 now looks to play Leonardo Mayer.
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