Janko Tipsarevic’s first singles match in more than a year could not have been more dramatic. Making his comeback from a major foot injury, Tipsarevic saved two match points to overcome Guilherme Clezar 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(7) in round one of the U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship on Tuesday.
After giving back a break at 3-1 in the third set, the Serb survived a marathon service game at 5-5 then fought off both of Clezar’s match points in the ensuing tiebreaker. Clezar led 3-1 and 5-3 before coming within one point of his first ATP-level victory at 6-5 (on Tipsarevic’s serve) and 7-6 (on Clezar’s serve). He lost the last three points of the contest.
“In my mind, I don’t feel like I was away for so long,” Tipsarevic commented. “I felt like this was a match I needed to win. I was ready, and I was fit. I had no confidence coming in, but saving match points with forehand winners down the line maybe proved otherwise. I really felt I had to win this match, and I would have been really sad otherwise.”
It was the 30-year-old’s first singles match in 533 days (since Oct. 21, 2013 in Valencia), and it was his first victory in 553 days (since Oct. 1, 2013 in Tokyo).
World No. 1 Novak Djokovic tweeted support of his countryman:
[tweet https://twitter.com/DjokerNole/status/585558072707436544]
Whereas Tipsarevic is returning to tennis, Lleyton Hewitt is bidding farewell. The 34-year-old Aussie, who is planning his retirement for after the 2016 Australian Open, lost his Houston first-rounder 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-3 to Go Soeda. Hewitt had a match point on his own serve at 5-4, 30-40 in the second set but could not convert. A controversial moment eventually arrived with the two-time major champion serving at 3-3, 15-0 in the third. His shot was called out and although no mark could be found, the call stood. Hewitt ended up losing four straight points to get broken and he did not win another game.
Controversial point:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ltc1Yg0jzTI]
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