Guido Andreozzi has seen his ranking slump the last two years, but the Argentinian has not let that deter him from performing in Santo Domingo this week. The unseeded man from outside the Top 200 continued his fine run by defeating Slovakian Jozef Kovalik in straight sets, 7-5, 6-4.
Kovalik had started the match like a man full of confidence, fresh off the back of straight sets wins over top seed Victor Estrella-Burgos and fifth seed Andrej Martin. He broke to early in the first and proceeded to hold serve without issue until he served for the set. He let slip a set point, and was then broken by Andreozzi, who was enjoying vociferous support from the crowd in the Domincan Republic. Andreozzi quickly held before Kovalik wilted away, broken as he tried to stay in the set, and Andreozzi led.
The momentum shift had been remarkable, and Andreozzi broke in the second game as Kovalik began playing porr volleys and low percentage drop-shots. Both men held the rest of the match either side of a delay.
Nicolas Kicker is another Argentinian who is performing well above expectations this week. The twenty-three year old defeated another in form player Mathias Bourgue 6-4, 7-5 to earn the right to face his compatriot in the final.
Kicker and Andreozzi have never met on tour in singles. Pick: Kicker
