BERLOCQ LOSES OUT

David Nalbandian’s countryman, Carlos Berlocq, has been defeated by Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan in the second round of the Shanghai Rolex Masters 2012. Istomin won the match by 4-6, 6-2, 6-1. He took almost two hours in winning the contest. With this victory, Istomin has reached the pre quarter finals.

In the first set, Berlocq played superbly, but, in the next two sets, he looked a different player altogether. He was just thrashed by Istomin in the second and the third set.

In the post match interview, Berlocq admitted that he gave too many opportunities to Istomin in the last two sets. The Argentinean player said, “My performance gradually deteriorated as the match went on. Winning just 3 games in the last two sets was not enough at all. I should have done better than that. But, you should also give credit to Istomin. Even after losing the first set, he kept his composure and made a remarkable comeback.”

Berlocq started the match on a good note. He got a breakthrough in the third game of the first set and he enhanced the lead by serving out the fourth game. He didn’t lose his serve in the rest of the games and won the first set by 6-4.

After losing the first set, Istomin came into the second set with all guns blazing. He won the first three games consecutively and took a profound lead of 3-0. The next 4 games went with the serve and at the end of the seventh game; the scorecard was saying 5-2 in the favour of Istomin. Istomin broke Berlocq’s service in the eighth game and won the second set by 6-2.

In the final set, Istomin was in a destructive mood. Berlocq held his service in the opening game, but, after that, it was all about Istomin. The Uzbek player won the next six games in a row and won the match.

In the third round, Istomin will play against Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland.