Kuala Lumpur, 25 September: The second round of qualifying games of the Malaysian
Open, Kuala Lumpur 2011 concluded here today at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil, as more
of the best tennis players from around the world fought to stake their place in the singles
main draw. Today’s winners will face off tomorrow to determine the four qualifying spots
made available in the main draw.
In one of the day's longest and hardest fought matches, world No. 194 ranked American
Michael Yani came from a set down to beat Chinese Taipei's Jimmy Wang 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in 2
hours and 16 minutes.
The 30-year-old Singapore-born Yani’s final qualifying hurdle will be South African Rik De
Voest, who emerged victorious in another marathon battle against a determined Ti Chen of
Chinese Taipei. The 31-year-old De Voest eventually saw the game out 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 in 2
hoursand14minutes.
Meanwhile, Tatsuma Ito of Japan overcame a strong first set challenge before disposing
Jean-Rene Lisnard of the Principality of Monaco 7-6(7-5), 6-2 in straight sets.
Tomorrow, the 23-year-old Ito will take on 25-year-old Russian Mikhail Ledovskikh, who
today defeated Italian Riccordo Ghedin 6-4, 6-4 in 75 minutes.
Australian Marinko Matosevic also booked his place in tomorrow’s final qualifying round
after grinding out a 6-2, 7-6(9-7) straight sets victory against Ukrainian Stanislav Poplavskyy.
Matosevic has his sights set now on defeating American Rajeev Ram to make the main draw,
after the 26-year-old Ram overcame a defiant Russian Mikhail Elgin 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 in a match
lasting close to two hours.
