SZCZECIN, September 16, 20
Dustin Brown is the last seeded player left in the singles draw of the €106,500 Pekao Szczecin Open after quarterfinals Friday. The third favourite fought past Salvatore Caruso, rallying 4-6, 6-3, 6-3. The world number 82 won 53 per cent of the total points played to finish the encounter in two hours and two minutes.
“I had a bad start into the match,” Brown told after the battle. “My opponent returned well, was very confident and for a long time I could not find the right answer. I was glad to win a few games in the first set, which allowed me to catch my rhythm. Now it’s time to relax and to recover properly.”
At the beginning of the week Brown made headlines in Germany, as he chose to play the Polish ATP Challenger event instead of competing with Germany against Poland in Berlin. A decision, which was incomprehensible to the German Tennis Federation (DTB). As a consequence, DTB Vice-president Dirk Hordorff announced on Thursday that “Dreddy” will be suspended for the entire 2017 Davis Cup season.
“If I’m not 100% fit and lose at a Challenger event then it is my personal risk. But if I’m not 100 per cent fit and play a Davis Cup match then Germany could lose, which is something I don’t want…therefore I informed the DTB that I cannot compete. I don’t understand why the DTB doesn’t communicate this appropriately,” Brown explained his decision on twitter.
https://t.co/LcfFgZcaDS@DTB_Tennis @TennisMagazine @SZ @wwwTennisNetCom pic.twitter.com/m2YXOf1wIs
— Dustin Brown (@DreddyTennis) 14. September 2016
From the sporting point of view, it has already become certain – ahead of the semi-finals – that Brown will reach a personal new career high ranking on Monday. He will have the chance to break into the top 70 for the first time.
The 31-year-old will next face Jonathan Eysseric, who knocked out the tournament’s number eight Marco Cecchinato, winning 6-4, 6-1. The 26-year-old Frenchman saved both break points he faced and capitalized on four of his own chances to prevail in one hour and 23 minutes.
#CareerHigh BABY pic.twitter.com/XSy7inGnCa
— Dustin Brown (@DreddyTennis) 14. September 2016
In the other two quarterfinal matches, Constant Lestienne benefited from the retirement of Albert Montanes, leading 6-3, 6-7, 5-4. The seventh seed from Spain suffered from a right leg injury. Lestienne will next face Alessandro Giannessi. The leftie from La Spezia emerged victorious from the all-Italian-affair with Stefano Napolitano, winning 6-3, 7-6 in two hours and 21 minutes.
