Steven Moneke hits back at Jaroslav Pospisil in qualifiers – Banja Luka 2012 CH
Fourth seed, Steven Moneke, made an epic comeback to outmuscle the Czech contender, Jaroslav Pospisil, in a three-set thriller at the qualifying competition of Banja Luka Challenger 2012 on Sunday. He nudged up a 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory against the Czech veteran to power into the main draw at this ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) Challenger Tour event taking place in Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The seeded German made a slow start but remained calm throughout the match. As a result, he not only pulled out the victory in two hours and 23 minutes but also advanced into the main draw at this clay court tournament.
The 31-year-old made a slow start and suffered the first blow in the third game to go 1-3 down. However, he not only recovered in the eighth game but got the breakthrough in last game, eventually sealing the opener by winning six games to four.
Moneke made a fitting reply in the proceeding set and got the desiderated break in the opening game to take the initial lead. He then swiped his entire serves without encountering any breakpoint and clinched the equaliser with a 6-4 score line. The German converted one out of three break chances to his advantage.
Ranked 429th in the South African Airways ATP World Tour Rankings, Moneke kept momentum rolling in the final set. He got the coveted break in the opening game to jump to a 2-0 lead. Despite losing his edge in the sixth game, the German broke Pospisil’s serve again and pocketed the decider with a 6-4 win.
Overall, the 26-year-old manipulated a better first serve share of 71 per cent as opposed to his rival’s 52 per cent and acceptably marked 43 out of 60 points on it.
Next challenge for Moneke is the top seed and the defending champion, Blaz Kavcic, in the opening round.
The Ukrainian contestant, Artem Smirnov, also earned the limelight later that day. He recorded a 7-6(5), 6-4 victory against the Australian challenger, Colin Ebelthite, in one hour and 32 minutes. Smirnov lost his serve once but cashed in both break chances to prevail.
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