Week 38 - Challenger ($75,000) - Columbus - OH, USA (hard)

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

RE: Week 38 - Challenger ($75,000) - Columbus - OH, USA (hard)

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Coup Droit wrote:
Bob in Spain wrote:
I really thought that set had got away from Alex but he finally sealed it 13-11 in the breaker on what was his 7th or 8th set point. (I lost count)
Yeah, interesting that the two worst shots Pavic played in that TB were on of his two set points.
Alex was solid - consistently good/very good from the back half of the court, consistently pretty poor in the front half.
He deserved the set

Yes. That backhand slice into the base of the net when Alex was pretty much off the court was particularly poor.

Pity Alex couldn't hang on to his early break in the 2nd set.

3-3*

thejester · Satellite level

That backhand cross-court to hold for 4-4* was pretty snazzy wasn't it? Got fully airborne there, a la Nishikori. Very nice.

paulisi · Tennis legend

There isn't much between them, will be down to who plays the big points best.

thejester · Satellite level

One set shootout now then. Come on Alex!

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

That wasn't a great game from Alex. Shame.

Lost the second set 4-6.

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Alex looking very tight off the forehand wing and three errors in that game cost him the set.

He's going to have to do it the hard way.

indiana · Tennis legend

Ah some bad misses from Alex and he is broken for the set.

7-6(11) 4-6

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Pavic has served better and better as the match has gone on. Going to be tough to break him.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Bob in Spain wrote:
Pavic has served better and better as the match has gone on. Going to be tough to break him.

Exactly what I was just thinking....

indiana · Tennis legend

Yes I suspect chances may be fleeting so important to keep holding and then to take any chances that do come his way.

But Pavic does seem the guy with the momentum as he goes *15-40 on Alex's serve.

indiana · Tennis legend

Got out of that game with a little help.

2-2*

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

indiana wrote:
Got out of that game with a little help.

2-2*

Yes. As before, Pavic has played some surprisingly poor shots on break points/set points in tie-break.

But he certainly looks the more dynamic.

Just wonder if those poor shots are a sign that he might have trouble in clutch points that he should win.

thejester · Satellite level

Ouch. Broken to love. Alex's serve seems to be letting him down more as the match goes on. And Pavic looks the livelier right now.

indiana · Tennis legend

They each served 6 aces and 2 DFs in set 1. It is now 18 & 3 for Pavic against 8 & 6.