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Youzhny defeats countryman in bizarre encounter
It was an all-Russian battle completing today´s schedule in the 39th ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament. Former top-10 player Mikhail Youzhny was up against his countryman and Davis Cup teammate, Igor Kunitsyn. Both returned from a Davis Cup defeat against Austria, where Kunitsyn fell in 5 sets to Jurgen Melzer on Friday, while Youzhny only appeared in doubles. Kunitsyn also won a dead rubber on Sunday against Andreas Haider-Maurer.
Kunitsyn has started the season well, and it could be a tricky 1st round match for the experienced Youzhny, who won the title in Rotterdam in 2007. The first set showed no sign of surprises though. Youzhny eased through the set, winning it 6-0.
Kunitsyn started well in the 2nd, getting an early break. He wasn´t able to hold on to it, but eventually took the set in the tiebreak.
It looked like a very interesting third set, but a few easy games for Youzhny in the opening part of the decider sealed the deal for the more experienced Russian. Once again Kunitsyn had to record a 0-6 set, as bizarre as it may look. Kunitsyn did not play bad, Youzhny just won the right points.
The 2nd round could be a battle of two former winners, as Youzhny will face topseed Roger Federer, if he defeats Nicolas Mahut on Wednesday night.
