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3/27/09 9:23 PM | Ricky Dimon
Taylor Dent and Nicolas Kiefer both saved a match point in advancing to the third round of the Sony Ericsson Open on Friday afternoon.
There was simultaneous drama on Courts 2 and 6 in the opening matches of Day 3 at the Masters Series Miami. With both courts clearly visible from the top of Court 2, fans lucky enough to be in that spot were treated to two thrillers at the same time.
Taylor Dent defeated Nicolas Almagro 2-6, 6-2, 7-6(5) on Court 2, saving a match point at 5-6 in the third-set tiebreaker. Nicolas Kiefer ousted Fabrice Santoro 5-7, 7-6(4), 6-2, saving a match point while serving at 5-6, 30-40 in the second set.
Kiefer saved Santoro's match point with a big serve that the Frenchman returned long, and the German went on to win the ensuing tiebreaker seven points to five. Santoro could not recover and was never competitive in the third. Kiefer broke for a quick 2-0 lead and surged to victory from there. He lost just four points in four service games and his second break of the set--at love--finished the match off after two hours and 32 minutes.
Santoro's match point and Dent's fifth match point came at the exact same moment. While Santoro failed to seize his lone chance, Dent finally capitalized on his fifth opportunity. The American, ranked in the 400s after coming out of retirement, had a match point at 5-4 in the third set, two more at 6-5, and another at 7-6 in the tiebreaker. Almagro earned his only match point with a screaming backhand pass at 5-5, but Dent saved it with a winning drop-volley. Much to the enjoyment of the crowd, Dent at last finished off the proceedings when he got his first match point on his own serve. Almagro could not handle another big serve, as Dent booked a spot in the third round against Tommy Robredo.
Dent finished with 10 aces but double-faulted six times. Kiefer's win over Santoro came amidst dismal serving by both competitors. The 36-year-old Frenchman tossed in nine double-faults, while Kiefer donated five and put in just 42 percent of his first serves.
Kiefer will next meet Roger Federer, assuming the world No. 2 eases past Kevin Kim.
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Whoo hoo, Kiefer! You're completely screwed now, but at least you had a good match...
-Arvis
Arvis , 3/27/09 10:03 PM
Glad I didn't listen to you Rafterfan. Sorry for the old Fabrice. In tennis years they both are in their twilight. Patrick Rafter rocks!
zoey234 , 3/27/09 11:10 PM
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Well, my luck of yesterday wore off. Sorry Fabrice!
Rafterfan , 3/27/09 9:52 PM