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Tomic misses match points in Memphis


 

Originally published on: 21/02/12 07:28

Ivan Dodig saved two match points to deny Bernard Tomic a debut win at the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships on Monday.    

The 27-year-old Croat entered the match with a 3-6 record for the season but inflicted just a third loss of 2012 on the Australian teen, who had previously lost only to world No.4 Andy Murray and No.3 Roger Federer following his semi-final run at the Brisbane International and career-best fourth round finish at the Australian Open.    

Dodig sent down 19 aces and won 75 per cent of his service points to beat Tomic in just under three hours, despite trailing 7-8 in the third set tiebreak.    

“I was really happy after the match because I’ve been losing tight, tight matches,” said the world No.58, who had picked up his first ATP title in Zagreb last year. “This is going to give me more confidence.”    

Of 19-year-old Tomic, Dodig added: “Last year, he showed that he can play good tennis against great players and will soon be one of the top players in the world.

“This match, it was just a matter of a little bit of luck. I was a little more lucky in the tiebreaker.”    

American Donald Young, 22, also came through a tight battle, beating Grigor Dimitrov 7-6(4) 7-6 7-6(6) despite finding the lines with just one ace and throwing in seven double faults.   

Young could face compatriot John Isner next, who plays Gilles Muller of Luxembourg for a spot in round two.

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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.