Post by Liam O'Reilly on Aug 22, 2006 17:44:56 GMT
Greg Rusedski ended a seven match losing run on the ATP Tour with a hard-fought victory over Ivo Karlovic in the opening round of the Pilot Pen tournament.
The British number three belied his recent poor form with an impressive display to beat the Croatian 7-6 (7-2) 6-7 (7-9) 6-2.
Rusedski had not tasted victory since beating Stefano Galvani at the Rome Masters back in May.
The early signs suggested he would not be ending his losing streak in New Haven as Karlovic broke his serve in the third game of the match.
However, the Canadian-born left-hander quickly broke back and went on to win the tie-break 7-2 to go 1-0 ahead.
After the start of the second set saw both players dominate with their big serve, Rusedski wasted two match points.
His failure to convert the opportunities cost him dear as Karlovic - playing for the first time in a month - went on to level the match by winning the tie-break.
Rusedski quickly rallied, though, and dominated the deciding set to book a clash with Jarkko Nieminen in the next round.
The British number three belied his recent poor form with an impressive display to beat the Croatian 7-6 (7-2) 6-7 (7-9) 6-2.
Rusedski had not tasted victory since beating Stefano Galvani at the Rome Masters back in May.
The early signs suggested he would not be ending his losing streak in New Haven as Karlovic broke his serve in the third game of the match.
However, the Canadian-born left-hander quickly broke back and went on to win the tie-break 7-2 to go 1-0 ahead.
After the start of the second set saw both players dominate with their big serve, Rusedski wasted two match points.
His failure to convert the opportunities cost him dear as Karlovic - playing for the first time in a month - went on to level the match by winning the tie-break.
Rusedski quickly rallied, though, and dominated the deciding set to book a clash with Jarkko Nieminen in the next round.