Pouille Finds His Range In Bucharest
Pouille Finds His Range In Bucharest
Frenchman knocks out Karlovic
Lucas Pouille upset second seed Ivo Karlovic 6-3, 6-4 in the second round of the BRD Nastase Tiriac Trophy on Thursday. The 22-year-old Frenchman had never previously faced the 6’11” Karlovic at tour-level, but read the Croat’s serve well and prevailed in one hour.
“I’m happy with this second round,” Pouille said. “It was a good match, in line with how I played on Tuesday. I tried to be solid, to do simple things, and it worked well.
“I was able to return well and to put the ball back in the court, which against Ivo is key. I think I can serve better. There are a few details I need to work on. Also, as it is the beginning of the season on clay, I feel I can improve many aspects of my game.”
Third seed Federico Delbonis landed 70 per cent of first serves and overcame unseeded Illya Marchenko 7-5, 6-2 in the second round. The Argentine dropped serve twice but broke the Ukrainian five times in the pair’s first FedEx ATP Head2Head meeting.
Guillermo Garcia-Lopez downed Next Generation player Kyle Edmund 6-3, 6-3 to advance to the quarter-finals. The 32 year old, seeded fourth, did not face a break point and broke Edmund three times (3/12) to advance in 81 minutes.
“He didn’t have chances to break because I served very well. It is the kind of match you always want to have,” Garcia-Lopez said. “I didn’t let him find his rhythm, I was mixing the game with slices and high balls, being aggressive at times. This made him feel uncomfortable.”
The Spaniard will face Guido Pella, a 6-1, 3-6, 6-2 winner over Daniel Gimeno-Traver, in the next round.
“Against Pella, it will be difficult mentally and physically. He’s left-handed, which is tricky for a right-handed player with a one-handed backhand. He plays very well. Whoever is stronger mentally will win this match,” noted Garcia-Lopez.
Paolo Lorenzi was another veteran firing on all cylinders in the second round, dismissing youngster Taro Daniel 6-2, 6-0 in 75 minutes. The Italian dictated with his return, winning 30 of 54 points on Daniel’s serve.