Fuente : Wimbledon
http://www.wimbledon.org

WIMBLEDON: Youzhny Beats Bjorkman in Four

/noticias.info/ Birthday boy Mikhail Youzhny needed just 32 minutes to complete his rain delayed match, securing a 7-5, 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (11-9) victory over Swedish doubles specialist Jonas Bjorkman.

In a match that stretched over two days the Russian No.31 seed, who turned 23, survived a third set scare to set up an intriguing fourth round meeting with No.21 seed Fernando Gonzalez.

Over the duration of the match hundreds of fans had squeezed into every available space to watch, what looked on paper, an interesting line-up on Court 3.

But the error-fuelled encounter did not live up to expectations as Bjorkman, who at 33 was the oldest player left in the draw, only showed the glimpses of the player who reached the quarter-finals two years ago.

The battle got off to a lethargic start, with the first eight games going with serve and the only incident worthy of note being a stunning drop shot by Bjorkman.

However, at 4-4 world No.34 Youzhny stepped his game up a gear. At break point he punished a weak second serve by Bjorkman by sending it flying past the helpless Swede as he came rushing to the net.

The world No. 97, who was playing in his 12th Championships, managed to secure an immediate break back, however the comeback was in vain as he then sloppily dropped his serve once more.

Youzhny, who bares similarities to fellow Russian Yevgeny Kafelnikov with his big serve and wide reach, made no mistake when serving for the set for a second time and finally wrapped it up in 43 minutes.

The Russian then appeared to be cruising into the fourth round for the third time in his career after overpowering and out-manoeuvring his opponent throughout the second set.

He won 100 per cent of the points when he got his first serve in and his brutal groundstrokes vowed his Russian fans.

However, just as a straight-sets victory looked inevitable, Bjorkman came storming out of the blocks at the start of the third and raced to a 3-0 lead.

Youzhny's apparent dip in concentration looked to be over when he pegged the score back level to 3-3; however the fired-up Swede secured another break and the set with confident net play.

Just as upset looked on the cards, the heavens opened and play was halted for the first time in The Championships this year.

After the match recommenced on Saturday, at 4-4 in the fourth set, both players confidently held serve twice to force a tiebreak.

And in a tense decider that could have gone either way, Bjorkman finally handed Youzhny the ideal birthday present by putting an easy forehand long. Youzhny took the set 11-9.


Written by Beci Wood notas_de_prensa_archivo