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In an exhilarating display of tennis prowess, Marcos Giron made a triumphant return to form at the Chengdu Open on Thursday, capturing the attention of tennis enthusiasts worldwide. The American sensation faced off against the tournament's fifth seed and 2019 finalist, Alexander Bublik, in a riveting showdown that had fans on the edge of their seats.
Giron emerged victorious with a 7-6(6), 6-3 victory, securing his spot in the second round of the Chinese ATP 250 event. Chengdu's fast-paced conditions, tailor-made for Bublik's formidable serve and aggressive playing style, presented a formidable challenge for Giron.
Despite falling behind 0-2 in the first set, Giron showcased his unwavering determination and resilience. The pivotal moment arrived during an intense first-set tie-break that featured seven mini-breaks. Giron emerged as the victor, setting the tone for the rest of the match.
The World No. 64 carried this momentum into the second set, establishing an insurmountable 5-0 lead. The entire contest spanned 101 minutes, marking a remarkable turnaround for Giron, who had endured a four-match losing streak at all levels leading up to this event.
After the match, Giron shared his admiration for Bublik, acknowledging his remarkable skill and diverse weaponry on the court. Giron now holds a 3-1 advantage in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series. Reflecting on the match, Giron emphasized the importance of the first set, which was fiercely contested with numerous break point opportunities.
He praised his own performance under pressure and commended Bublik's formidable service game.
Chengdu Open's Exciting Matches
Giron's remarkable defense included saving five of Bublik's seven break points, solidifying his quest to defend the 150 Pepperstone ATP Ranking points earned from his runner-up finish in San Diego the previous year.
Looking ahead, the 30-year-old athlete, with a season record of 19-22, is set to face Arthur Rinderknech in the second round, following Rinderknech's victory over lucky loser Tu Li with a score of 7-6(5), 7-6(6). The Chengdu Open also witnessed other thrilling matchups on Thursday.
Australian player Jordan Thompson delivered an upset by defeating fellow countryman Max Purcell 6-2, 7-6(8), after saving four set points in a nail-biting second-set tie-break. Thompson's reward is a highly anticipated maiden Lexus ATP Head2Head clash with Dusan Lajovic, who navigated past Zizou Bergs with a score of 6-4, 1-6, 6-3.
Seventh seed Miomir Kecmanovic faced minimal resistance, securing a convincing 6-2, 6-3 victory against qualifier Benjamin Lock. Kecmanovic now gears up for a second-round clash with Corentin Moutet. Christopher O’Connell and Juan Pablo Varillas also posted impressive straight-sets victories in their Chengdu Open debuts.
O'Connell, hailing from Australia, overcame Alibek Kachmazov with a score of 7-6(3), 6-4, while Peru's Varillas outperformed home wild card Cui Jie with a commanding scoreline of 6-1, 6-3. Marcos Giron's thrilling victory over Alexander Bublik promises an exciting journey ahead at the Chengdu Open, captivating fans and setting the stage for more remarkable tennis battles in the coming rounds.