Latvian Ernest Gulbis defeated Estoril Open champion Albert Montanes in straight sets in the first round of this year’s Madrid Masters this afternoon.
The 21 year-old dispatched the Spanish clay-court specialist 7-5, 6-1, showing the kind of resilience that put world No.1 Roger Federer out of the Rome Masters in April.
The win moves Gulbis up to No.33 in the world, edging the youngster ever closer to being seeded at the up and coming French Open.
Poor Start
Montanes began the match strongly, breaking Gulbis’ serve on his first attempt, and had a chance to take the first set on 5-3.
Yet the Latvian – after smashing his racket in frustration- managed to maintain his composure and took advantage of the Spaniard’s unforced errors to take the first set 7-5.
He then continued to pile on the pressure in the second set with delicate drop shots and booming base line ground strokes.
His opponent took two medical time outs for a groin strain and eventually conceded the set 6-1.
Montanes will be frustrated with the loss as his form of recent on clay has been formidable, winning the Estoril Open on Sunday.
In head to head competition, Gulbis now leads Montanes 3-1, with the Spaniard’s only victory coming on clay.
No comments:
Post a Comment