Contributed by Lin Kuek

Kallang Tennis Centre, Wednesday, January 26, 2011 — Even though the incessant rains caused delays lasting more than three hours, third seed Italian Paolo Lorenzi and fifth seed Lukas Rosol from the Czech Republic manage to survive scares to advance to round two at the Singapore ATP Challenger 2011, while Singaporean born American Michael Yani, who was granted a wild card, provided a silver lining to a rather gloomy day when he beat New Zealander Artem Sitak to advance to round two.

“I started very well, but then underestimated my opponent for a bit in the second set and had to pay a price, but finally I managed to win and am thrilled to be able to carry on in the tournament,” said the 30-year-old Yani.

Fifth seed and ranked 162 Lukas Rosol of the Czech Republic survived a very close shave against South African star Rik De Voest (currently ranked 180). Rosol managed to close the match on his fourth match point registering a 7-6(6), 7-6(5) to win the match that lasted 2 hours 15 minutes.

Rosol came back from being 0-3 down to level scores and win the first set in a tiebreaker 8-6 to go one set up. In the second set Rosol managed to pull a lead of 5-3 (40-30), but the wily Voest broke Rosol in the 8th and the 10th game aided by 4 double faults from his opponent to level scores and force a second set tie break. However, the tall and lanky Rosol finally managed to keep his cool and wrap the match.

Italian Paolo Lorenzi also managed to record a hard fought win over gentle giant Franco Skugor (currently ranked 184) of Croatia in a 2 hour 48 minute tussle to ensure a passage to round two.

The feisty Lorenzi broke the 6ft’3 Skugor in the second game to take the well contested first set, in the second set Skugor served extremely well registering a high 74% first serves to win the set and push the match into a decider. Lorenzi had to pull up his socks battling the hard-hitting Croat, winning the decider on his sixth match point.

“It was a tough and long match and I am feeling extremely tired now. I played good tennis and I also thought it was a good match for the spectators. This is my first tournament of the year, and I am going to take each day as it comes. But I really enjoy being in Singapore and playing in this tournament,” said the 29-year-old Roman.

Former top 100 player Rajeev Ram of USA (currently ranked 186) had to use all his experience to fight off a first set onslaught by former junior champion and qualifier Yang Tsung-hua of Chinese Taipei before registering a hard fought 6-7(7), 6-3, 6-0 win scraping into the second round, in a match lasting 2 hours 20 minutes.

In order to pull off the win, the experienced Ram changed tactics which somewhat unsettled the young Yang who ran out of ideas, giving Ram the chance to race to a 4-2 lead in the second set. He then served out the set at 6-3 to force the third set. Ram then seized the initiative, breaking Yang in the 1st, 3rd, and the 5th games and held on to his serves, to hand a 6-0 loss which ended Yang’s singles campaign at the tournament.

The Singapore ATP Challenger 2011 marks the comeback of professional tennis after a hiatus of a decade in Singapore. Organized by event promoter Sports Management Group (SMG), Singapore Tennis Association (STA), supported by the Singapore Sports Council (SSC) and presented by Corona, the event is an ATP Challenger series event, and is taking place at the Kallang Tennis Centre from 23 Jan 2011 to 30 Jan 2011.

For event information, please visit the official website
www.SingaporeATPChallenger.com.

For tickets, please visit www.sistic.com.sg or call 6348 5555.

About the Challenger Tour

The Challenger Tour is the springboard to fame for the future stars of professional tennis.

Nearly every player on the ATP World Tour has fought his way to the top of the game through the Challengers. Every player in the Top 10 South African Airways ATP Rankings competed in the Challenger Tour in the early part of his career. Former No. 1 Pete Sampras, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer all progressed through the Challenger level before going on to the top of men’s professional tennis.

Not only do these tournaments give fans the fun and excitement of watching first class matches, but by providing opportunities for young players to develop their talents, the ATP Challenger Tour ensures the continued success of professional tennis. The competition at this level is intense, with young up-and-coming players fighting for those vital South African Airways ATP Ranking points that will qualify them to compete at the very top level of their profession.

The Challenger Tour also brings men’s professional tennis to countries where ATP World Tour events are not held, where tennis fans can also enjoy the spectacle of the best new players in men’s tennis.

The ATP World Tour, since its inception in 1990, has placed emphasis on the development of the Challengers, and success is increasing over years.

Centre Court, Match 1
Name Set 1 Set 2 Set 3 Overall
Tsung-hua YANG (TPE) 7 3 0 1
Rajeev RAM (USA) 6 (5) 6 6 2

Court 2, Match 1
Name Set 1 Set 2 Overall
Artem SITAK (NZL) 1 6 (4) 0
Michael YANI (USA) 6 7 2

Court 3, Match 1
Name Set 1 Set 2 Set 3 Overall
Franco SKUGOR (CRO) 4 6 3 1
Paolo LORENZI (ITA) 6 3 6 2

Court 4, Match 1
Name Set 1 Set 2 Overall
Lukas ROSOL (CZE) 7 7 2
Rik DE VOEST (RSA) 6 (6) 6 (5) 0