Schalken Wins In Almost Four Hours
04 Mar 2005 - Expo Centre SA, Fribourg, SUI - Marco Keller
Schalken Wins In Almost Four Hours
Sjeng Schalken has given the Netherlands its expected lead in the Davis Cup
by BNP Paribas World Group first round tie against Switzerland in Fribourg.
However, the Dutch No.1 had to battle for almost four hours to get on top of
Swiss rookie Marco Chiudinelli, winning 76(4)46 63 57 62.
Chiudinelli, currently ranked 150, who had earned his nomination thanks to
continued progress over the past 18 months, showed no fear in the first
five-set encounter of his career. In the first set, he was broken twice but
broke back to 2-2 and 5-5 before Schalken clinched the set in the tiebreak
with a brilliant forehand passing shot.
The 23-year old Swiss remained unfazed and got an early break in the first
game and hung on to win the second set. In the third set, it was once again
the experienced Dutch player, who broke to lead 3-1 and then serve out the set.
Schalken stayed focused although he had to be treated by the physiotherapist
several times during changeovers.
Although the Swiss crowd loudly tried to support its own player, Schalken
kept the upper hand early on in the fourth set. But Chiudinelli relied on a
high percentage of first serves at that stage to remain in the match as he
saved five break points in total with service winners.
The former world number 11, who was the more consistent of the two players,
remained in the driving seat and finally broke for 5-3. Chiudinelli once
again showed his fighting spirit, broke back at 5-4 and eventually got the set
by winning 16 of the last 17 points of the set.
In the fifth set, Schalken prevailed quite comfortably and was able to
celebrate his 20th win in 33 Davis Cup matches after 3 hours, 56 minutes.
The former US Open semifinalist, who has just come back from severe
mononucleosis, was quite relieved:
"In the first set, my backhand was much shorter than usual. Only in the
middle of the second set, did I figure out that it was a problem in the lower
back. I am very happy that the physiotherapist has been able to put it back
into place and I think from that moment, I was the better player.”
Schalken was also impressed by the courageous performance of his opponent:
"He played very aggressively and that was a surprise for me. I didn't know much
about him and my sources had told me he was more of a counterpuncher. He has
good potential and is a good fighter."
Chiudinelli was very disappointed despite having played a very good match with
plenty of support from his home crowd:
"It was an unbelievable feeling to play in front of such a fantastic and
supporting crowd. I am very happy with the way I played but also very
disappointed that I couldn't give my country this win."
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