PBZ Zagreb Indoors, Croatia

[CR55] Marcel Granollers (ESP) vs. [CR85] Ivan Dodig (CRO)

Granollers, although known more for his doubles prowess, has been a consistent top fifty player on the singles tour for the last five years. He has won more singles titles than some who are exclusively singles players. However, he has been struggling with his confidence of late and is looking to regain his comfort level on the singles court.

It was a very physically demanding match as Dodig, a feisty competitor, was chasing every ball down.  It was a highly contested battle and appropriately went the distance. It was a matter of missed break opportunities and a few untimely errors that cost Dodig the match. Perhaps the pressure of carrying the hopes of the entire country on his shoulders was too much for him. He cracked first in the third set and Granollers took full advantage, serving out the match to win 7-6(8), 4-6, 6-3. It’s nice to see Granollers playing with belief again. Will he build on this and regain his comfort on the singles tour?