Gianluca Pozzi vs. Younes El Aynaoui
by Prip
The Moroccan got off to a good start, getting the break and a 3-1
lead, but soon felt the heat of playing a wily veteran. Gianluca's
tennis was simply poetry in motion, the Italian looking calm and in
full control, but actually playing very aggressive tennis in disguise.
He anticipated the ball well, and his movements looked near
effortless except for when he dived for a volley. Toying with the
Moroccan a little, Gianluca not just chipped, but hacked away the
game deficit and took the set 7-5.
Using all his experience, Gianluca used the pace of Younes's shots, and
mostly blocked the ball back strategically until opportunity to
approach the net presented itself, daring the clay court specialist to
pass him. Gianluca got the break to go up 2-1, and consolidated for a 3-1 lead.
Younes started to become very agitated as the match went on, totally
clueless as to how to play the old man of the tour. The only thing
that he could do effectively was to serve hard, and serve hard he did.
At one point at 3-4, Gianluca had thrown yet another beautiful
drop-shot at Younes, and the Moroccan fully ran for it. It turned out
to be a stupid move, though, as he not only couldn't get to the ball,
but ended up straining a thigh muscle. He paused, leaning on the net,
and Gianluca went up to ask if he was okay. Younes decided that he
wasn't, and called for the trainer. After a brief treatment, the match
went on, and Gianluca did only as much as necessary to close out the
match, conserving his energy for the later rounds. To Younes's credit,
he served 4 very good serves (that turned out to be winners) at 3-5
to stay in the match, but Gianluca barely went for the ball at all.
A classic match in which experience prevailed over power. Next up for
Gianluca will be the unorthadox strokes of Fabrice Santoro, who
defeated David Prinosil 6-2 6-3.
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Last updated 26 September 2015
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