Speedy Luka Gregorc whizzes past Daniel Chu in the final round of qualifier – Van Open 2011 CH
World number 532, Luka Gregorc of Slovenia went down to business as usual as he finished off Daniel Chu of Canada in straight sets to reach the first round of main draw of the Odlum Brown Van Open, an event on the Challenger Tour
played here at Vancouver, Canada.
The 27-year-old Slovenian delighted the home fans by clawing out 6-2, 6-1 win taking not more than 51 minutes of play.
Chu, ranked 1853 in the world, looked totally out of form and lacked the power to hurt Gregorc, who looked a lot sharper, following his win at the U.S.A. F1, after ousting Olivier Sajous in the final round.
As the first set started, a poorly smashed drop shot which went into the net handed Slovenian the early break in the opening set and from then on, there was never any doubt about the result of the contest.
And as the set wore on, the Chu’s serve began to lose it's intensity and Gregorc held the advantage to take it 6-2 before another break in the third game of the second set put the Slovenian in total command.
Although the Slovenian was broken promptly at the start of the decider, he responded impressively to level at 1-1. He had another chance of break but he could not take it, and that would prove to be his last opportunity.
Gregorc piled on the pressure in the decisive game to gain the crucial break before confidently serving out the victory and progressing into the first round of the main draw.
The Slovenian player had to score 22 points more than the Canadian to reach the main draw, winning 80 percent on service, 51 percent on return and 64 percent of points in total. In contrast, the Canadian lost the match with a meager
49 percent on service, 20 percent on return and a meager total of 29 of 80 points during the match.
Also, Travis Rettenmaier of America has moved into the first round of main draw, after taking apart Chris Wettengel 6-1, 6-4 in 97 convincing minutes on court.
His 29-year-old compatriot struggled to discover his range until the closing exchanges of the match, with only a couple of blistering drop shots, offering a hint of quality in his game. But when facing a 3-5 down in the second
set, Wettengel’s confidence surged and he lost the match in straight sets, allowing his compatriot to reach the main draw.
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