The Sauceistan Championships
As presented live and exclusively on TNP-TV26, the TNP Tennis Tour kicked off with 4 matches played across the clay surfaces of the Saceistan Tennis Centre. Home favourite
Thomas Alfredo kicked us off against
Christoph Lyublova.
Round 1 Day 1
The first set was a slugfest as, with the partisan crowd willing Thomas Alfedo on, the two players traded serves up until game 6, when the home favourite double faulted on break point to hand Lyublova the advantage. Alfredo would break back in game 9 as he started to dominate the exchanges, his heavy backhand sending his 24 year old opponent all over the court. By that point though, Lyublova was 5-4 up, and he out-swung the youngest player on the tour - despite a diving attempt to reach the Legi's set winning backhand.
Christoph switched tactics in the second, using his two-handedness to full effect as his controlled forehand took him into a 3-love lead. Alfredo, backed by his home crowd and with a TNP-TV26 record Sauceistani audience watching (about 7) powered his way back into set, hitting 6 aces as he held his serve from two break points, broke his opponent then held again to level the set. The two traded a serve apiece before Alfredo broke again to take a 5-4 lead. Serving to stay in the set, not only did Lyublova hold his nerve (and serve) he broke Alfredo to up the pressure and take the advantage. Serving for the match, Lyublova tried to power his way into the semi-finals, but a long backhand on break point meant that this one was heading into a tie break. The mistake seemed to shake Lyublova's concentration, and he quickly dropped the set, scoring just one point. This match was going the distance.
Lyublova switched it up again, his left handed forehand sending Alfredo to the farthest reaches of the court. Lyublova broke twice and took 3 of the opening four games before the crowd and Alfredo's backhand started to drag him into the final and deciding set. He broke in the 5th, held in the 6th and broke again in the 7th to take an unlikely and much appreciated 4-3 lead. The reversal of fortunes seemed to galvanise Lyublova who broke right back. Holding his serve to love and with a 5-4 lead, Alfredo was definitely feeling the pressure. He double faulted twice in the final game and when he went long on match point, his backhand dipped just outside the lines and Christoph Lyublova was through.
Christoph Lyublova wins 6-4, 6-7, 6-4
Over on court 2, Olvern's
Gus MacClery had a horrible time against clay court specialist
Jacques Murat. The Lancerian champion stuck to his powerful backhand and vicious serve, hitting 15 aces (and a body shot on MacClery in the 7th game) as he took the first set 6-2. MacClery did manage a break in the 5th, forcing Murat to use his forehand, the weaker part of his play.
The second was just as one sides games wise. Murat took it 6-1, MacClery only holding his serve once. The games were fairly even, but Murat's backhand was the difference, keeping MacClery on the backfoot. The Olvernian looked somewhat relieved when Murat ended his torment, taking the last game to love.
Jacques Murat wins 6-2, 6-1
