The fifth match between the two 28 years old Americans was played in the Quarterfinals of Delray Beach Open. However, this was their first match that went into 3 sets. Querrey ended up on the winning side of this one, making the record 4-1 in his favor.
In the first s
et, both players were showing the best of their serving abilities, not allowing a single break, and there being only 3 breakpoints (all on Querrey’s service games). However Querrey’s serve absolutely went away in the tiebreak, losing 3 points on his serve and allowing Smyczek to take the set in the tiebreak, 7-1. The first two games went pretty much as in the first set. The first player to capitalize on the break point opportunities was Querrey at 1-1, taking Smyczek’s serve, and leading 2-1. Both players kept holding their serve despite having to turn away break points, and Querrey had the comfortable lead of 5-3. Smyczek held by 0 for the second time in the second set, put pressure on Querrey’s serve and managed to break his serve to equal the score at 5-5. Both players held easily and they were headed in to another tiebreak. There were another 3 mini breaks, but this time 1 for Smyczek and 2 for Querrey, allowing Querrey to serve for the set at 5-4 and he didn’t fail, winning the second set tie break 7-4. First 4 games brought us long games with 5 break points altogether, but in the end they managed to hold. Then we saw two quick breaks to make it 3-3. Players held with difficulty and break points until Querrey took the opportunity at 5-4 on Smyczek serve, and ended the 2 hours and 41 minutes marathon.
