Matija Pecotic grew to become one of many tales of the younger season on the ATP Tour by qualifying for his tour-level debut on the age of 33. But the Croatian, who holds a full-time job in finance, was not content material simply to make the primary draw on the Delray Beach Open.
On Tuesday, Pecotic prolonged his dream run in Florida with a 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 win towards former Top 10 participant Jack Sock. After falling behind 0-4 within the opening set and combating off a break level early within the second, the Princeton and Harvard graduate dominated the second half of the match. He gained the ultimate 4 video games of units two and three, and didn’t face a break level past the third sport of the second set.
Dividend Yield: Finance Titan, 33, Earns ATP Tour Debut
“I certainly didn’t expect to win, but certainly didn’t come into the match thinking that I’m definitely going to lose,” mentioned Pecotic, who represented Croatia on the inaugural United Cup final month. “You’ve obtained to be lifelike. This is a former Top 10 man with an unbelievable quantity of tennis expertise, with an enormous serve. He got here out serving 134 [mph] on the primary serve. It can be boastful to suppose that I’m going to return out and count on to win.
“But I certainly figured if I could sink my teeth into the match and work on the two or three patterns that I prepared before, that I’m going to have a chance. And then let’s see… if I was going to fall under pressure or not be able to serve it out at some point. But I didn’t and I got the win.”
Pecotic hit 10 aces and 30 winners within the two-hour, 10-minute match, saving six of eight break factors. He attacked the web 31 instances, successful 21 of these factors.
The 33-year-old gained simply three video games within the opening spherical of a Cleveland ATP Tour Challenger occasion two weeks in the past, however now finds himself within the final 16 on the ATP 250 stage. He will subsequent face Marcos Giron, who defeated eighth seed Ben Shelton 6-4, 6-4 to shut the night’s play in Delray Beach. Pecotic has already overwhelmed three Americans this week, starting with Stefan Kozlov and Tennys Sandgren in qualifying.
“I had to leave work early today,” joked Pecotic, whose boss was in his participant field. “I had to send an email to the whole team. [My boss] let me off. I’m going to have to ask for another day off tomorrow.”
Also advancing on Tuesday in Delray Beach had been Americans J.J. Wolf and Macenzie McDonald. The ninth-seeded Wolf defeated Ilya Ivashka 7-5, 6-3, whereas McDonald downed Taro Daniel 6-2, 6-2. Adrian Mannarino joined them within the final 16 with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 win towards Daniel Altmaier.
Source web site: www.atptour.com
