Roberto Carballes couldn’t win the second round of the Challenger 180 in Salzburg (Austria), a clay-court match. In a match that lasted almost three hours, he lost 7-6 (5) to Maximilian Neuchrist (number 457 in the ATP ranking), 3-6, and 6-7 (12).
The tennis player from Granada had a poor day. It was difficult for him not to take the initiative in points against a rival, who displayed greater aggression on the court to win in decisive moments in a duel which was extremely even from beginning to end and in which he carefully chose details.
The first set was already quite balanced. The third set was already very balanced. Carballes had three balls to break in the third, but he didn’t take advantage of any. He was 2-5 against in the sixth game, and suffered a break in that match. But he didn’t give up and continued to respond. After making two breaks, he won four games straight, but lost on his serve, and it was necessary for him to play the tie-break, which he won with difficulty.
Mal initiated the second moto. He was able to make a break and soon had a 0-2 record against a very adaptable player. He was weak and couldn’t make a break the rest of the match. He managed to keep his serve alive, but in game nine he was broken again and couldn’t extend the set.
To determine who would play in the quarterfinals, it was necessary to play a final set. In that third set, equality was evident. Both tennis players were fierce in their service and refused to compromise. Hope was able to win a break that placed him at 5-3. But he still had doubts. His rival, Roberto Carballes took a risk when he saw his opponent lose. He won three consecutive games and brought the score up to 5-6. Neuchrist won the tiebreak, which was necessary.
