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Alberto Loses 3-Set Heartbreaker |
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Written by Team Francis
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November 09, 2008 |
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In the finals of qualifying at the $125,000 PEOPLEnet Cup (Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine), fourth-seeded Andrei Gorban outdueled Alberto in three sets 7-6(3), 2-6, 7-6(7). In opening set, Alberto jumped out to the early lead at 5-3 was serving for the set. However, Gorban broke to even the set and ultimately went on to take the first set tiebreaker.
In the second set, Berto took command early and never relinquished the lead, taking the set 6-2 to even the match. The deciding third set produced a multitude of high and lows for both players. With Alberto up 4-2 and serving to take a commanding lead, Gorban hung tough and broke to close the gap. Invigorated, Gorban then turned it around to lead 5-4 and was in position to break Alberto to win the match. Down 0-40 and facing three match points, Berto dug down deep to win all three points to stay in the match. The contest went to a tiebreaker and it was closely contested throughout. Alberto had a match point at 6-5 but Gorban survived with a big-time serve. Berto was able to earn a second match point opportunity at 7-6 but couldn't convert on his service. Now at 7-7, Gorban hit a ridiculous drop shot to earn a match point in his favor. Down 7-8 and now looking at a match point, Alberto stayed aggressive and worked his way to the net. However, Alberto could not convert the volley as Gorban won the tiebreaker 9-7 and with it the match. |
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Tourney Tracker
With the 2008 campaign concluded, Alberto is back in his home state of Texas for the off-season where Berto will get some well-earned R&R as he considers his schedule for 2009. | | Read more... |
News Flash
| In the opening round of qualifying at the $135,000 IPP Open (Helsinki, Finland), Jonathan Marray (GBR) upset #7 seed Alberto in three sets 7-5, 4-6, 6-3. After Berto and Marray split the first two sets, the match came down to a deciding final set. | | Read more... |
Hello to all! I hope everyone enjoyed the Holiday season and are now set in their routines for 2009. I spent the Christmas holidays with my family in McAllen, Texas, which was great. The temperatures pushed into the high '80's, which is not exactly winter holiday weather for most of us but is rather typical for South Texas. | | Read more... |
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