Davis Cup – Norbert Gombos did not score the first point for Slovakia – ŠPORT.SK

yesterday 20:30 | Slovak tennis players lose 0:1 to Romania in the duel of the 1st world group of the Davis Cup. Nicholas David Ionel took care of the opening point for the guests on clay in Bratislava’s NTC, who defeated Slovakian No. 2 Norbert Gombos after over three hours of three-set battle 6:7 (4), 7:5, 6:4. You could watch the Norbert Gombos – Nicholas Ionel duel ONLINE at ŠPORT.sk >> Gombos immediately broke Ionel’s serve in the opening game and took a 2:0 lead after confirming the break. The Slovak representative was able to push the Romanian from the forehand and prepare a good position to finish the exchanges. Ionel was waiting for his opponent’s mistakes and they came in the sixth game, when Gombos hesitated twice at the net and the Romanian equalized at 3:3. Ionel benefited from good movement around the court, he was able to keep up with Gombos in long exchanges, and in the tenth game he worked out three set points while serving his opponent. However, Gombos turned them away, equalized at 5:5 and forced a tiebreak, in which he celebrated his success. At 6:4, he converted the first set point after a winning backhand down the line. In the second act, at 4:4, Ionel did not use three break points, but in the eleventh game he took Gombos’ serve and then leveled the score at 1:1 in sets with his own serve. Gombos tried to play actively and dictate the pace, but in the exchanges he made too many unforced errors in these phases of the match. Ionel appeared more and more confident on the court. In the third set, in Tilden’s game at 3:3, he broke Gombos again and did not let go of the chance to win. At 5:4, he converted the very first match point against a player who is almost 200 places higher in the ATP world rankings. “I started quite well, it’s a shame that he broke me back at 3:2. After winning the tiebreak, I was well kicked, in the second set I had more chances than my opponent, but I didn’t use them. I was surprised that Ionel served well, he didn’t give me any free fifteens and I had to play everything myself. I often played volleys from a difficult position and Ionel passed me. It’s a shame that I gave two close aces in the third set. I’m disappointed because I felt good in training during the week. It was confirmed that in the Davis Cup the ranking position is not decisive. Ionel gave the performance of his life,” said Gombos. Davis Cup – 1st World Group match: SLOVAKIA – Romania 0:1 after opening singles Norbert Gombos – Nicholas David Ionel 7:6 (4), 5:7, 4:6