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First time in Bucharest for me, and I couldnt miss the 1st day of qualifying at Nastase-Tiriac Trophy.
It was a cloudy and windy day, with a 40 min rain interruption around 3 PM, followed by anbother one about 90 min later.
Giustino def. Kamke 7-6 6-3
Watched the 1st set, both players had difficulties adjusting to the windy conditions. Still it was a good level with long rallies, Kamke was more aggresive but made too many mistakes. Giustino was patient and waited for his chance to counteropunch, especially with the fh down the line. Also the Italian has a much better serve, which earned him some free points, most important the ace at 6-5 in the TB, after Kamke missed 3 SP, one after a 20 plus shots rally, and one with a DF. Very close set, it was obvious that whoever wins will eventually win the match.
Apostol def. Setkic 6-4 6-3
Didn’t see it because it was at the same time with the Kamke – Giustino match. A big surprise, and the biggest win for Apostol so far. I will definitely try to see him play tomorrow.
Cox def. Djere 7-6 6-2
Caught only bits as it was on a side court…Cox looked chubby, I’m surprised he won given that Djere plays many more clay tournaments.
Cornea def. Androic 6-4 6-4
Wathced the whole match, probably the biggest surprise of the day. Androic started with a 2-0 lead and it seemed that it would be a routine win, but Cornea quickly turned the match around. The Romanian played much better than his ranking suggests, made very few errors, served vey good and was solid at the net. Also he resisted in long rallies where Androic should have had an advantage. The Croatian didn’t look too worried, like he never believed he will lose until 3-5 in the 2nd set when he started to get anxious and look desperately at Mektic who was encouraging him from the sideline.
Fabbiano def. Hernych 6-2 4-6 7-6
Saw only parts, good level of play, Hernych was very relaxed and played with patience, waiting for the Italians errors. Fabbiano deserved the win as he was the more aggressive and positive player…too bad the match ended with a DF.
Donskoy def. Paval 6-2 6-0.
Didn’t see it, but an expected result.
Ungur – Tatomir 6-1 5-7 1-2 int.
Watched until the 1st rain interruption at 6-1 2-2…Ungur was very solid, while Tatomir made many errors, although he’s got some powerful groundstrokes. I’m surprised he turned the 2nd set around, but still I see Ungur as a favourite to qualify further.
Desein – Krstin 6-2 0-3 int.
Very good match with entertaining points. The 1st set was closer than the score suggests, but Desein won the key points. Krstin took an important lead in the 2nd set before the rain interruption, I expect this one to be a 3-setter with Krstin winning in a close decider.
Lazov – Guccione 6-4 int.
The Gooch didn’t even try to return any serves he couldn’t reach. His serve is still great but he is so so slow and Lazov passed him a few times with ease. Lazov is nothing special but will win, because The Gooch simply doesn’t seem to care.
Albot – Davydenko 6-2 6-1
The Russian didn’t exist in this match. I went to the bathroom at 1-0 in the 2nd and when I returned it was already over.
That’s all for now, pictures will follow later
It was a cloudy and windy day, with a 40 min rain interruption around 3 PM, followed by anbother one about 90 min later.
Giustino def. Kamke 7-6 6-3
Watched the 1st set, both players had difficulties adjusting to the windy conditions. Still it was a good level with long rallies, Kamke was more aggresive but made too many mistakes. Giustino was patient and waited for his chance to counteropunch, especially with the fh down the line. Also the Italian has a much better serve, which earned him some free points, most important the ace at 6-5 in the TB, after Kamke missed 3 SP, one after a 20 plus shots rally, and one with a DF. Very close set, it was obvious that whoever wins will eventually win the match.
Apostol def. Setkic 6-4 6-3
Didn’t see it because it was at the same time with the Kamke – Giustino match. A big surprise, and the biggest win for Apostol so far. I will definitely try to see him play tomorrow.
Cox def. Djere 7-6 6-2
Caught only bits as it was on a side court…Cox looked chubby, I’m surprised he won given that Djere plays many more clay tournaments.
Cornea def. Androic 6-4 6-4
Wathced the whole match, probably the biggest surprise of the day. Androic started with a 2-0 lead and it seemed that it would be a routine win, but Cornea quickly turned the match around. The Romanian played much better than his ranking suggests, made very few errors, served vey good and was solid at the net. Also he resisted in long rallies where Androic should have had an advantage. The Croatian didn’t look too worried, like he never believed he will lose until 3-5 in the 2nd set when he started to get anxious and look desperately at Mektic who was encouraging him from the sideline.
Fabbiano def. Hernych 6-2 4-6 7-6
Saw only parts, good level of play, Hernych was very relaxed and played with patience, waiting for the Italians errors. Fabbiano deserved the win as he was the more aggressive and positive player…too bad the match ended with a DF.
Donskoy def. Paval 6-2 6-0.
Didn’t see it, but an expected result.
Ungur – Tatomir 6-1 5-7 1-2 int.
Watched until the 1st rain interruption at 6-1 2-2…Ungur was very solid, while Tatomir made many errors, although he’s got some powerful groundstrokes. I’m surprised he turned the 2nd set around, but still I see Ungur as a favourite to qualify further.
Desein – Krstin 6-2 0-3 int.
Very good match with entertaining points. The 1st set was closer than the score suggests, but Desein won the key points. Krstin took an important lead in the 2nd set before the rain interruption, I expect this one to be a 3-setter with Krstin winning in a close decider.
Lazov – Guccione 6-4 int.
The Gooch didn’t even try to return any serves he couldn’t reach. His serve is still great but he is so so slow and Lazov passed him a few times with ease. Lazov is nothing special but will win, because The Gooch simply doesn’t seem to care.
Albot – Davydenko 6-2 6-1
The Russian didn’t exist in this match. I went to the bathroom at 1-0 in the 2nd and when I returned it was already over.
That’s all for now, pictures will follow later
