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11/9/09 4:55 PM | Ricky Dimon
Viktor Troicki advances to the Paris second round on Monday when Paul-Henri Mathieu retires in the second set. Lukasz Kubot scores a three-set win over Andreas Beck to join Troicki in round two.
Viktor Troicki d. Paul-Henri Mathieu 7-6(4), 3-0, retired
Troicki moved into the second round of the BNP Paribas Open on Monday afternoon when Mathieu called it quits after one hour and nine minutes of play. To the disappointment of the French fans, their man suffered from a calf problem throughout the match and retired three games into set two. For a while, however, Mathieu kept it close. The world No. 33 even earned a set point with his opponent serving at 5-6 in the opening frame of play, but Troicki promptly fired three straight aces to force a tiebreaker. Mathieu tried to call for an injury timeout midway through that 5-6 game, but the chair umpire, of course, forced him to wait until the tiebreaker.
Once Troicki held for 6-6, it was all over. The 29th-ranked Serb raced through the decider seven points to four and Mathieu could not recover in the second. Troicki won 13 of 19 points--and all three games--before it ended. The winner, who fired an amazing 13 aces in the first set, finished with 16 aces and one double-fault. Troicki will face No. 13 seed Radek Stepanek for a place in the third round.
(Q) Lukasz Kubot d. Andreas Beck 6-4, 3-6, 6-4
Kubot, who qualified to get into the Paris main draw, kept up his fine form by dismissing Beck in two hours and four minutes on Monday afternoon. The 27-year-old Pole broke serve in the opening game of the match and that was enough for him to take a one-set advantage, as he lost a mere four points in his first five service games. Beck returned the favor in set two, breaking immediately for a 2-0 lead. The 34th-ranked German saved one break point along the way to forcing a decisive third set.
Neither man could break serve throughout most of a tense final frame of play. Kubot, ranked 77 spots behind his opponent at No. 111 in the world, had more chances over the course of the set and finally struck with Beck serving to stay in the match. At 4-5, ad-out, Kubot capitalized on his fifth break-point opportunity and sealed the victory when Beck netted a backhand. Next up for Kubot is No. 12 seed Marin Cilic.
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Needless-to-say, Kube & Beck's first round at the Prbs Mstrs 09 could have had a staggering effect on the two players returning slightly after Rld Gars. I was entertained but half-way through, we switched to Berdc's & Mllt's. Tom outplayed his opponent well, though Millo did play alright. We then returned to re-view Kube's final set, which surprisingly, put him into safe territory sealing the moment, although Beck was trying sorely in the end. Not anything more satisfying than a victory well deserved. But, the 'interacting connections' between the compatriots/players, nowadays is improving nicely, and would benefit them to find "true" satisfaction and self worth. Best of luck to the lucky achievers!
steppo , 11/10/09 10:57 AM
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Mathieu: "I had a pain in the calf that made it difficult to continue. It's too bad, the games were tight. I felt a little stronger than him from the baseline . It's a pity I couldn't finish the match."
RickyDimon , 11/9/09 6:01 PM