Pablo Carreño had to arm himself with patience and intuition to overcome a match that was first under control and then dangerously complicated against Jiri Vesely, 27-year-old Czech and 68th in the world who placed him 63 winners, 36 of them direct service. The Asturian managed to survive that rain of aces to win in four sets (6-3, 7-6 (3), 2-6 and 6-4 in 2:33) and gets into the third round of the Australian Open for fifth time in a row. There he will meet the Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov on Friday.
Carreño did not lack aggressiveness or precision (he only made 22 unforced errors), but in most games the rest could not do much to counteract the more than 200 km / h services of his opponent (the fastest traveled at 217). Even so, with skill Pablo was able to win 15 points against first and punish whenever he could the seconds of his rival. Thus he broke his serve twice in decisive moments of the first and fourth sets, breaks that were the key to his victory. In the fourth set he added the just break for 6-4 and his shout of celebration was heard in Canberra. It was no wonder after enduring such tension with resignation and some helplessness on a very fast track.
“It was a very difficult game. Jiri plays very well, serves amazing and doesn't give you much. It wasn't easy to concentrate all the time on doing my thing. Of course in the first set it was easier. The conditions at the beginning of the game I think were better for me with the sun. The ball bounces more than at the end of the game, “Carreño explained.
Dimitrov, his next rival
Pablo Carreño will fight for a place in the round of 16 of the tournament against Grigor Dimitrov. The Bulgarian, eighteenth seed, is already in the third round of the Australian Open after beating Australian Alex Bolt 7-6 (1), 6-1 and 6-2 after 1 hour and 50 minutes of play. Dimitrov was very strong with his serve against a Bolt who managed to hold the rhythm in the first set to force the tie-break but was weighed down by 45 unforced errors.
Without rhythm
“He kept serving 210, 215 and hitting a lot of aces all the time. But I had two break points that I took advantage of to win the game, “he added.” I wasn't expecting a game with such a slow pace and that makes you a bit desperate. Luckily from the bottom I was hurting him more. At night, that game was complicated because those balls did not escape him. The game got very ugly, “he said.” I'm not satisfied with anything, I don't think about that, only about winning. If I give my level, I will have options for sure, “he concluded.
Schedule and results.