Pere Riba bags opener as Potito Starace retires – BRD Nastase Tiriac Trophy 2011
The BRD Nastase Tiriac Trophy 2011 gleamed up as the final few matches of the opening round fired off on Wednesday, 21st September. Potito Starace, the Italian world No.50, opened up against Pere Riba-Madrid, world No.72, on Classic
clay circuit, however, ended up ghastly. With less than an hour in the play, the 30-year-old walked off with an injured wrist ending the Italian’s run, 1-6, 2-3, in the ATP Tour 250 event.
Comparatively, the two have been performing perfectly. Considering the Spaniard, the 23-year-old had won 7 out of prior 10 matches, all on clay. However, he had lost the previous fixture played between the two. Starace also had
similar statistics with 7 wins and 3 lost.
Anyhow, the match started off on time, at noon, at the central court of Bucharest Tennis courts, Romania. Starting up with serving first, the Spaniard bloomed away the first set rolling down the scoreboard, 1-0. Although Starace
had lately conquered the clay at San Marino, he struggled against the 23-year-old and stumbled as he lost an early breakpoint, 0-2.
Blistering away with another win, Madrid completed his Serve-break-serve technique winning the third game of the set, 3-0. Finally the struggler pulled out and won his first game of the match, however, that the last he could for
set 1. Speeding away, the world No.72 extended his lead as he repeated the serve-break-serve technique mustering away winning and winning the set 6-1.
With the second set on its way, Starace opened up the set winning the first game, 1-0. Following the Italians win, the Spaniards levelled up next, 1-1, and stood to return the Italian once again. Winning on a game each on respective
serves, the two levelled up one again at 2-2 with the 30-year-old to serve next.
Serving for game 5, the Spaniard blistered the first breakpoint of the set to lead the set 3-2; however, the Italian seemed a bit in agony. Anyhow, the Italian continued hoping the pain would fade away but it didn’t. The Italian
finally called off the match.
The 23-year-old now sits in the 2nd round of the BRD Nastase Tiriac Trophy 2011 to rival Albert Ramos, compatriot for a spot in the quarterfinals.
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