TENNIS – In the frst round match at the BNP Parisbas Master 1000 in Indian Wells, Australian Marinko Matosevic defeated American Bradley Klahn 6-4, 6-4. In the second round he will play against 16th seed Tommy Robredo. Konstantinos Tsavalias
First round in BNP Paribas and another young American gun of the new breed, Bradley Klahn, 24 years old lefty that is currently sitting at No65 of the ATP World tour rankings is trying to stand out, facing the Australian Marinko Matosevic a 29 year old right hand that is currently sitting at No69 of ATP World tour rankings. Marinko has had a medium start having openly expressed his frustration for his lack of on court support from his coach doesn’t seem to find, yet, his previous good form. He has 6 wins and 6 loses since the start of the year. On the other hand Bradley is trying to step up from Challenger level to ATP level and this year seems like a fine start. After not qualifying in Brisbane he reached the round of 16 in Auckland he lost 1st round from Dimitrov in Aussie Open and won 2 challenger series Maui and West Lake and looks like someone that tries to make an impact in the ATP tour. The winner of both is facing the Spaniard Tommy Robredo.
In Center Court it’s the 2nd game of the day and with fine weather in California the match started with Klahn serving using his powerful forehand trying to make something happen, but his 2nd service game was all about errors and Marinko gets the first break and the lead in the third game. But the young American did not let this slide and immediately broke back. Marinko is more patient than Bradley who rushes for winners with his big forehand were sometimes pays off but most of the times isn’t. So a forehand error again gives the edge to the Australian with 4-3. And the more experienced Australian didn’t give any more room to the American for bigger hopes and takes the 1st set in 38 minutes with 6-4.
So the 1st set and the momentum is in Marinko hands, who made less mistakes than Bradley and was more consistent in his serve, winning 62% of 1st services points and 77% of his 2nd service points. Klahn wasn’t so consistent and with 17 unforced errors in first set and with a poor 2nd service (42% 2nd service points won) was rightfully not deserved to win it.
2nd set starts and you have the impression that Klahn is struggling to maintain his service game than to maintain the match which is far harder. Marinko has early break points but the American is defending them successfully again and again. But that wasn’t the case in the 7th game and the Australian managed to finally brake and take the lead with 5-3. Never the less delaying the inevitable and pushing the opponent serve out the match is always a good strategy, a strategy that gives him his 1st brake point. But Matosevic is tough and manage to hold and win the set by 6-4 and of course the match. In this match though the American blamed only himself and his bad service games, with such a bad stats in his 2nd service (38% 2nd service points won in 2nd set) 41% 2nd service points won overall. So an easy win for Marinko by 6-4, 6-4 puts him in 2nd round and a lesson for Bradley that his service game must be improved.
RESULTS
