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8/29/10 8:25 AM | Ricky Dimon
Sergiy Stakhovsky comes back from a set deficit to beat Denis Istomin in the New Haven final on Saturday. Stakhovsky is now a perfect 4-0 lifetime in ATP title matches.
Sergiy Stakhovsky won the Pilot Pen Tennis tournament on Saturday night, defeating Denis Istomin 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in an entertaining final. Stakhovsky needed one hour and 42 minutes to capture his fourth career ATP title.
It was Istomin, though, who got off to a strong start in his first-ever ATP final. Uzbekistan's No. 1 player seized an immediate break for a 2-0 lead in the first set and he never let it slip away. Istomin faced no break points and dropped only nine points in his first five service games as he finished off the frame with a love service hold at 5-2.
Stakhovsky was quick to steal the momentum right back, breaking for a quick 2-0 advantage in the second. The 47th-ranked Ukrainian extended the lead to 5-2 with routine service games, but he suddenly ran into trouble at 5-3. Nonetheless, Stakhovsky fought off a break point when his opponent missed a backhand return and he forced a third set two points later.
New Haven's No. 9 seed continued his aggressive play throughout set three and it paid off in the form of a decisive break at 2-2. From there it was smooth sailing for Stakhovsky, who did not give Istomin another look at a break point and lost just six points in his last five service games. In fitting fashion at 5-4, Stakhovsky clinched the final two points of the match with perfect volley winners.
"I'm really happy to be able to be the winner of this match today," said Stakhovsky, who is now 4-0 lifetime in ATP finals (and a combined 8-0 in semis and finals). There were really a lot of good rallies, and I hope it was really enjoyable tennis we played. Definitely we were fighting for everything."
"I'm so happy to be in the final for the first time," noted Istomin, who struck four aces but saved none of the two break points he faced. "I'm like little bit waiting for my first win. I hope soon in the future I can be the winner."
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Stakhovsky is a man of mood. I'm afraid he will so emotionally exhausted after this win that he takes a pause for a few weeks as it was in similar cases previously. Up and down, not stable. However, he is of that tennisist type who progress slowly but surely. Probably he will reach the career pics at the age of 28, for instance, when he'll become really mature man
JacquesUkraine , 8/29/10 1:26 PM
Congrats to Stakhovsky for winning the New Haven title. The tournament was not telecast here in my country so didn't get to watch it. I agree that he is not consistent in his performances but his game is interesting, he is one crafty player too. I hope he can carry on playing well and improves his ranking. With this win, he should be moving up a few places in the ranking.
luckystar , 8/29/10 3:34 PM
Makes sense that #1 plays in same quarter as #8, but why isn't #2 in the same quarter as #7, then #3 with #6 and then #4 with #5. The way it is now set up #2 would play #5 in the bottom quarter - i.e. Federer vs. Soderling not Fed vs. #7 Berdych. The quarter with Murray #4 gets to play #7. Hence #4 gets an easier draw than #2 Fed. Seems like a bit of an unfair advantage for the #1 seated player
Mike , 8/29/10 9:27 PM
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Sergly is steadily gaining in confidence. He reminds me a lot of Kolbi. Both are capable of causing early round upsets in the of the big tournaments.
ed251137 , 8/29/10 10:23 AM