Google News Diego Schwartzman reacts to losing to unranked Daniil Ostapenkov in Davis Cup
by DZEVAD MESIC | VIEW 7172
Argentine tennis star Diego Schwartzman suffered one of the most shocking defeats in recent history as he lost to an unranked junior in the Davis Cup. Schwartzman, ranked at No. 15 in the world, was beaten by Belarusian Daniil Ostapenko.
Ostapenkov, ranked at No. 63 on the juniors rankings list, handed a 6-4 6-3 loss to Schwartzman, shocking the Buenos Aires crowd. "I could never find my way around the match. He played perfect. His serve and forehand hurt me a lot.
I also think it was one of the worst matches of my professional career," Schwartman said, per the Davis Cup website.
Ostapenkov produced a stunning Schwartzman win
Schwartzman started the match with a break but then lost his serve in back-to-back games as Ostapenkov took a 3-1 lead.
Schwartzman broke back in the fifth game but dropped his serve again in the eighth game. Ostapenkov failed to serve out for the opener in the ninth game but earned his fourth break of the set in the 10th game to win the opener.
After winning the first set, Ostapenkov made a fast start to the second set, having claimed back-to-back breaks to open a 4-0 lead. Schwartzman got one break back in the fifth game but that was all as Ostapenkov served out for the match in the ninth game.
Luckily for Schwartzman, Guido Pella beat Erik Arutiunian 6-1 6-2 to keep Argentina alive in the tie. After beating Arutiunia, Pella praised his opponent and Ostapenkov. Aftwr the shock Schwartzman loss, Pella knew he had to take the match very seriously and be at his best from the beginning.
Pella was happy that he managed to remain focused throughout the whole match. "They are very young guys who come with a lot of desire to play for their country. And they are dangerous tennis players. I knew I had to have a good match from the beginning. I came in very solid. Very focused," Pella said after his victory.