Week 36 - Challenger (€30,000 +H) - Brasov, Romania (Clay)

freerider · Futures level

RE: Week 36 - Challenger (€30,000 +H) - Brasov, Romania (Clay)

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

First set in the bag by 6-4.

steven · Tennis legend

The 2nd set isn't going as well as the 1st, to put it mildly - *0-3 15-30

steven · Tennis legend

... but he held and then broke back

6-4 *2-3

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Not any more. Back on serve at *2-3

Allez Allez (Oops, that's Evo)

Vamos !!

steven · Tennis legend

... only to get broken again 2-4*

steven · Tennis legend

Angelinos serves for the set ... 30-40 bp Oli ... saved ... set point ... taken

6-4 3-6

steven · Tennis legend

This can't be good - I've got the stream on in the background and I've heard Oli screaming at himself more than once. Understandably frustrating given that he must feel he should be winning this after that 1st set but he does make Muzz look like Mr Happy sometimes. Then again, I can't talk - I'm just lucky that people aren't usually watching when I get annoyed with myself!

Anyway, he saves a break point in the 1st game of the decider and eventually holds

6-4 3-6 1-0*

Jan · Hall of fame

I've got it on without the sound, and I can hear him too!!!
It must encourage his opponent, surely?

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Oli gets broken. Oli breaks back. Lots more BP for the Greek. Lots of Hold points for Oli . . . .all very close . . .

steven · Tennis legend

4 breaks in a row ... then Oli holds to love

6-4 3-6 4-3*

He has taken 4/9 bps so far and saved 9/13.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Oli holds to 30 and breaks to love !

3*-4 to Oli. Still on serve but looking better . . . .

korriban · Challenger level

Not the highest standard from either player - long rallies perhaps, but mostly probing shots with plenty of margin, until someone makes an error. Neither seems to quite have the weight of shot to push the other back for too long in the rally, or perhaps both are just being extremely careful. Compelling in its own way, some good fight from both, but nothing to worry the tops seeds perhaps.

Oli can certainly still win this from 3-3.

steven · Tennis legend

Oli breaks and will serve for the match ...

I've just realised that he has only won one Challenger singles main draw match before ... and that was at Loughborough 2 years ago!

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

And Oliver, bless him, double faults on match point.

4*-5.