Xavier Malisse crashes out by Attila Balazs in quarter-finals – BRD Nastase Tiriac Trophy 2012
Belgian star, Xavier Malisse, was underplayed by the Hungarian qualifier, Attila Balazs, in gruelling three sets at the BRD Nastase Tiriac Trophy 2012 on Friday. He suffered a 6-4, 3-6, 4-6 loss at the hands of the world number 450 in the quarter-finals
at this ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) clay court event taking place from 23rd to 29th April in Bucharest.
The Florida resident, Malisse, quickly bagged the opener with a single break of serve. However, he swayed from his path after that and ultimately edged out from their first match-up. As a result, Balazs secured a place in the semi-finals at the BNR Arenas.
The 31-year-old made quick in-roads at this ATP World Tour 250 series event and held his serve in the second game to tie at 1-1. He then maintained consistency in his game and not only plucked remaining serves with assurance but got the breakthrough in fifth
game to pull out the opener with a 6-4 score line.
Balazs carried his losing ways in the start of the second set and suffered the first blow in the opening game to trail at 0-2. The Hungarian was trailing 1-3 when he unleashed barrage of groundstrokes, subsequently going on a five-game rampage. He warded
off seven out of eight breakpoints he faced and capitalised on half of the four break chances to manipulate a 6-3 success.
The 23-year-old maintained his intensity in the final set and earned the desiderated break in the third game to take the lead for the first time in the decider. He held his composure after that and eventually pulled out the final set with a 6-4 score line.
Summing up Malisse’s performance at this two hours and 14-minute battle, the Belgian sought 14 break opportunities but utilised only two of them. He also smashed five aces but blocked only four out of seven breakpoints he encountered, subsequently enduring
this disappointing defeat.
The qualifier will next confront Italy’s Fabio Fognini who stunned his sixth seeded compatriot, Andreas Seppi, in three sets to set-up this meeting. Fognini lost his serve six times but cashed in eight out of 17 break chances to formulate a 6-4, 6-7(4),
6-4 success.
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