Nalbandian's Near-Miss
Saturday, June 28, 2003
Last year's Runner-Up, Argentina's David Nalbandian, tonight eked
out a marathon five-set victory against Karol Kucera to book a
fourth-round showdown with Britain's Tim Henman.
Nalbandian looked to be in danger of departing the tournament at
several stages of the match, but showed enormous determination to
win 6-4, 5-7, 6-7 (1-7), 6-4, 6-2 in four hours and 22 minutes.
The 21-year-old sixth seed made a fast start against his Slovakian
opponent, overcoming an early break to take the first set 6-4 and
move ahead a break early in the second stanza.
But Kucera began to get his game into a groove and started playing
some impressive angles to level the score and then break again to
win the second set. He also won the third set in a tiebreak, showing
more variety in his shots.
Nalbandian then called for the trainer, who taped his foot. But when
he returned to the match, only his temperament seemed hampered쨭 he
became involved in a heated exchange with the umpire over a line-call.
The dispute seemed to snap him out of his torpor, and he lifted his
performance to take the fourth set.
The final set hinged on the fourth game, a marathon involving six
deuces. Kucera had led 2-0 but the Argentinian had broken back and
was trying to hold to level the scores. After several epic rallies,
he did. The Slovakian's spirit was sapped, and the last four games
went quickly.
Written by Darrin Farrant
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