Tim Smyczek flushes out Alex Kuznetsov in 1st round – Charlottesville Challenger 2011
American Tim Smyczek overcame compatriot Alex Kuznetsov in the first round of the Charlottesville Challenger 2011.
On Monday the 31st of October 2011, the two took up the gauntlet on indoor hard courts of the Boar’s Head Sports Club in Charlottesville, Virginia. After just one hour and fifty five minutes, Smyczek purged his compatriot by bouncing back from a set down to accomplish a 6-3, 4-6, 7-5 victory.
Kuznetsov initiated the first round by holding his serve and then capitalized on a breakpoint to squander two consecutive games on the scoreboard. However, Smyczek made a return by breaking back in the third game and then held his serve to mitigate the deficit at 2-2.
During the fifth game Kuznetsov again double faulted on his serve and endorsed a game to his adversary. On the other hand, Smyczek benefitted from the break and then held his serve to take a lead of 4-2 on the scoreboard.
Amidst the seventh game, Kuznetsov had to battle a few aces before he could finally ward off his opponent. Nevertheless, in the eighth game Smyczek held his serve and was now only a game away from victory. Kuznetsov’s backhand shot went haywire and he gifted the opening set to his adversary, who was now one up in the match.
The second set was commenced by Smyczek and this time both the players had bagged a game each to rotate the scoreboard at 1-1. It was in the third game that Smyczek had double faulted and allowed his adversary a pivotal break. Moreover, in the fifth game as Smyczek held his serve he took a lead of 3-1.
In the following six games the players matched a blow for a blow but eventually Kuznetsov had bagged the second by restricting his opponent to only four games.
At the end of the second set both the players had bagged a set apiece and initiating the determining set was Smyczek. This time neither player wanted the other to take a lead and they kept the score tied for the first six games. By the end of the sixth game the score had progressed to three games each.
Once again the two challengers matched an eye for an eye and in the next four games the score once more tied at 4-4 and then 5-5 at the end of the tenth game. However in the eleventh game Smyczek held his serve and was hoping for his adversary to double fault. His prayers were answered and Kuznetsov double faulted on his serve and presented the final game to Smyczek.
Smyczek was able to clog the set and the match and in doing; he managed to reserve a spot for himself in the second round of the tournament.
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