Santoro’s Tricks Un-do Andy

This was always going to be a really tough test for Andy, and it was Santoro in the end who withstood a commendable fight by Andy, to take the win 7-6(5), 2-6, 6-4.

Santoro kicked off the first set on his serve and the two battled throughout the opening games. Andy’s serve was an effective weapon, at 3-3 he had already fired 6 aces to Santoro’s one. The Magician demonstrated his cunning play against the top seed and after forty minutes, they headed into a tie-break. Andy clinched an early mini-break and fired his 10th ace for a 2-0 lead. Santoro was un phased with Andy’s aces and fought his way back into the tiebreak. Despite giving up a double fault in the breaker, Santoro took the set 7-6 (5).

Andy started the second set on his serve with a convincing hold and immediately placed pressure on the Frenchman earning two break points. Santoro fought to deuce but Andy’s determination was unwavering. He earned another break point and Santoro’s wavering first serve helped Andy secure the break for 2-0. After a little over an hour, Andy opened his lead to 3-0. Santoro got on the board with a hold for 1-3. Andy looked more confident as the set continued and at 5-2 he broke the Magician again to level the match, 6-7 (5), 6-2.

The pendulum did not swing Andy’s way for long though, as Santoro clinched an early break in the final set to lead 3-1. This proved to be the decisive break of the set. Andy continued to fight, pushing Santoro in each service game, always keeping in touch with the Frenchman. However he was unable to produce a single break point opportunity, and although Andy served strongly towards the end of the third set, he found himself trailing at 5-3. Santoro’s eleventh ace set up three match points. Andy saved two, but was unable to rescue the match as Santoro fired to victory.

Stay tuned to AR.com for further reaction from the match.