Ernests Gulbis beats Xavier Malisse in three sets in opener – Farmers Classic 2011
At 22:00 hour’s local time, the Farmers Classic Cup 2011 blazed up as another electrifying 1st round match between Xavier Malisse of Belgium and Ernests Gulbis of Latvia came to an epic end. The match was played at the
LA Tennis Centre and on hard court. The two tennis pros had their first meeting in this match. The Latvian secured a 3-6, 6-2, 7-6(5) victory over the Belgian.
Malisse, aged 31, turned pro in 1998. His ratings, at world No.41, depict his playing style that is somewhat near to Boris Becker. The right hander has an exceptional playing technique making his opponent play mostly on the baseline.
However, this does goes against the 31-year-old at times.
Opposing Xavier was the Latvian, Gulbis. The 22-year-old has a current world ranking at world No.84 and weights a little heavier with a title in his bag. Undoubtedly the young star has made a mark at this stage and proved it as
he won the 1st round match against the old 31-year-old Xavier Malisse.
The match was a fight for the best of the best. Although Ernest had a poor record in last 10 matches but made a comeback as he shook the world No.41 in 3 sets. The bloodshed of the first set ended up 6-2 as the 31-year-old won
with a total of 31 points including 18 service points and 13 returners against 22 of the young Latvian.
With the odds changing their side, the Latvian made a strong comeback. He mustered his way and gave a similar beating to the old pro winning the set 6-3. The total point difference was though not much. Ernests won the set totalling
29 points entailing 22 service and seven return points. This time the young star went lucky on saving 2 breakpoints as well that added up in the set win.
The 3rd set was surely conclusive. The heated up game went on a tiebreak but never the less one had to lose. The young Latvian had greater stamina against the experience of the world No.41, Xavier Malisse. The former
world No.21, Ernests, took the tiebreaker and the set 7-6(5) and won the game with pure accuracy.
The Latvian now sits in the 2nd round to play against a player even younger than him, 19-year-old Daniel Kosakowski.