NEWS
Rodionov loses in Orleans to former top-40 player
The ÖTV ace was beaten in three sets after a long battle.
Austria's No. 1 Jurij Rodionov (ATP 118) was eliminated in the first round of the ATP 125 Challenger tournament in Orleans (FRA).
The 27-year-old lost to former top-40 player Pedro Martinez (ESP) 4-6, 6-4, 4-6.
Suboptimal start
Rodionov, who was brimming with confidence coming off his tournament victory in Bratislava, got off to a suboptimal start.
In the Spaniard's first service game, the Lower Austrian earned a break point but was unable to convert it. In the very next game, Rodionov suffered an immediate break himself to fall behind 1-2.
After that, the 27-year-old missed another break opportunity – Martinez managed his lead and ultimately served out to take the set 6-4.
Comeback in set two
The second set was just as closely contested as the first. The Austrian initially broke for a 3-1 lead, but was unable to consolidate it.
In the final stretch, however, Rodionov seized the opportunity on Martinez's serve, breaking at the best possible moment and converting his first set point – gifted to him by a double fault from the Spaniard – to win 6-4.
Thriller in the deciding set
After several hold games in a row, Rodionov suffered a crucial break at 3-3 to trail 3-4.
Martinez subsequently kept his nerve and converted his first match point after over two hours to close out the set 6-4.
A local favorite now awaits in the round of 16. Martinez will face the winner of the all-French duel between Hugo Gaston (ATP 109) and Matteo Martineau (ATP 203).
