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Week 17 (PTA): Barcelona [Blanco]
- Thread starter SirBloody Idiot
- Start date
SirBloody Idiot
Cricketer Of The Year
Barcelona Open Banco Sabadell II
PTA Tour 500 - Quarter Finals - Barcelona, Spain - Clay (Red)
- Jarkko Maxum is just one win away from his first PTA World Tour final after he emerged victorious in a tense three-set thriller against Ivan Genov at the Torneo Godó. With both men in fine form following some upset victories, there was little surprise that both were keen to get off to the best possible start with so much on the line. In an edgy first set both men struggled to retain their composure on serve in an error-laden set, but it was the Bulgarian who took the set in a tiebreaker as he rallied from two points down to steal it 7-5. Dropping his first set of the week, Maxum was not about to roll over and in a far better display looked to have the second set won as he consolidated his breaks of serve. But after blowing two set points on his own serve, he was forced into another tiebreaker to fight for survival. In a comprehensive display, the World No. 55 was too good as he got off to a flier and never looked back.
With it all on the line in the third, it was clear the Bulgarian was frustrated with his backhand which was producing too many errors. His attempt to run around a deep backhand from Maxum cost him a break as he framed a forehand into the net. On the back foot, he fought hard but couldn't convert any of his seven third set break points as a steely Maxum served the match out after four deuces in his final service game to secure a win 6-7(5), 7-6(2), 6-4.
He now meets sixth seed Zoltán Varga in the semi finals after he easily accounted for impressive Spanish youngster Javier Villaneuva 6-2, 6-4. Varga is an impressive "all-courter" with a Wimbledon semi final under his belt. Even if Maxum loses he reaps the benefits of his great week: the 180 points he's won almost certainly returns him to the top fifty and he receives a special exempt into next week's Rome Masters with qualifying beginning tomorrow.
He now meets sixth seed Zoltán Varga in the semi finals after he easily accounted for impressive Spanish youngster Javier Villaneuva 6-2, 6-4. Varga is an impressive "all-courter" with a Wimbledon semi final under his belt. Even if Maxum loses he reaps the benefits of his great week: the 180 points he's won almost certainly returns him to the top fifty and he receives a special exempt into next week's Rome Masters with qualifying beginning tomorrow.
- In the other semi final, top seed Daniel Páez Blanco meets fifth seed Miroslav Brdar after their respective quarter final wins. Blanco was too good for qualifier and former Grand Slam finalist Johan Ortiz three and two, while Brdar scraped past giant-killer Pierre L'Estrange 7-5, 3-6, 6-2.
- Seeded players out: None.
SirBloody Idiot
Cricketer Of The Year
Congrats to Jarkko for unquestionably the biggest win of his career (and probably a push towards a Davis Cup spot). Haven't simmed the match yet, but I'll resurrect the live sim thread for this semi and the final if he wins.
ripper868
International Coach
Maxum thanks you for kind words, Maxum said to be "stoked ez bro" and excited for his next match, though not overly confident, Maxum will do his best to win it.
Happy to be straight to Rome as well
Seems the layoff was just what the kid needed.
vic_orthdox
Global Moderator
Clay is for pottery.
SirBloody Idiot
Cricketer Of The Year
Barcelona Open Banco Sabadell II
PTA Tour 500 - Semi Finals - Barcelona, Spain - Clay (Red)
- Jarkko Maxum has moved to the final with a three-set upset over Zoltán Varga... more.
- Maxum has the unenviable task of meeting World No. 2 Daniel Páez Blanco in tomorrow's final after the Spaniard went one step closer to defending his title with a straight sets win over fifth seed Miroslav Brdar. Blanco looked the best he has looked since returning from injury as he easily accounted for the Croat love and three and is an almost unbackable favourite to oust Maxum in tomorrow's final.
- Seeded players out:
Miroslav Brdar;
Zoltán Varga.
SirBloody Idiot
Cricketer Of The Year
Have faith!btw if my calculations are correct, regardless of tomorrow's result Maxum shoots up to around World No. 45.
SirBloody Idiot
Cricketer Of The Year
Actually that's a lie. Would be top forty with a win.
Either way, it will be Maxum's first time inside the top fifty which makes eight. We have a monopoly on the mid-rangers, baby!
Either way, it will be Maxum's first time inside the top fifty which makes eight. We have a monopoly on the mid-rangers, baby!
SirBloody Idiot
Cricketer Of The Year
Something else under the table might also work...
SirBloody Idiot
Cricketer Of The Year
Barcelona Open Banco Sabadell II
PTA Tour 500 - Final - Barcelona, Spain - Clay (Red)
- With the East CWLand broadcast cutting out midway through the second set, unseeded East CWLander Jarkko Maxum has failed in his attempt to win his first PTA tour title as he was beaten in straight sets by an off-and-on top seed Daniel Páez Blanco. Maxum was rank outsider against the Spaniard who hadn't dropped a set all week, but was very competitive early as Blanco made a number of uncharacteristic mistakes. But with the scores level at 5-5, the defending champion lifted a gear when he had to; breaking Maxum and then serving out the set 7-5. From there it was one way traffic as Maxum realised how far he has to go - the Spaniard wrapping up the second set inside half an hour to secure a 7-5, 6-0 win. Retaining his title, Blanco was complimentary about Maxum's performance and positive about the rest of his clay season which started so shakily last week in Monte Carlo.
- Seeded players out: None.