Pere Riba, Daniel Gimeno-Traver make it to the semi-final – San Sebastian Challenger 2011
Number three seed Pere Riba crushed Dutch tennis pro Matwe Middelkoop 6-3, 6-3 on Thursday to book his place in the semi-final of 2011 International San Sebastian Challengers here in San Sebastian, Spain.
The Spaniard made a shiny start to the contest and he broke the serve in the very first game of the opening set to dent his opponent’s confidence levels. Breaking straight back to stay in the set, Middelkoop was also up for the
challenge. Leading the game score 3-2, Riba broke the serve for the second time to take crucial 4-2 lead. Holding on to his net service game, he extended his advantage to 5-2. He pocketed the set with ease to take 1-0 lead in the sets score.
The second set also followed a pretty similar fashion with Riba dominating almost all aspects of the game. Breaking the serve at regular intervals, he put the man from Netherlands under immense pressure. Executing his game plan
to perfection, he made it all look too easy. Dashing a blistering forehand winner down the line, he made three match points available to him and then converted the first one to make it to his first semi-final of this season.
Riba looked in commanding form in the round eight match that lasted for only 1 hour and 30 minutes. Showing great determination and clay court skills, he proved that he is the favourite to win the San Sebastian title. If he can
continue her good form in the next couple of matches, he will be very hard to beat.
Ranked 73rd in the Association of Tennis Professional’s ranking, Riba served brilliantly as he converted 82 per cent of the point son his first serve. Hitting his big forehand and backhand winners down the line and cross
court, he took control of the points right from the start. The Spaniard was delighted with his effort and aimed to produce similar results in his next match-up as well.
In another match, number three seed Daniel Gimeno-Traver of Spain eased past qualifier Portuguese Joao Sousa 6-0, 6-3 to reach the semi final of the ITF level tournament.
Gimeno-Traver looked in complete control in a match that lasted for only 1 hour and 5 minutes. Executing his shots to perfection, he created all sorts of problems for an opponent from the baseline. Claiming six straight games,
he took the opening set in blink of an eye. He continued to dominate his opponent in the second set as well and completed his straight sets victory to set up a semi-final meeting with Simone Vagnozzi. Vagnozzi crushed Pedro Sousa 6-2, 7-5 to reach that far.
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