03.06.2014 13:44:40 | Adam Pavlasek (319th in ATP ranking) is one of the biggest hopes of the Czech tennis. He beat the fifth-seeded American Bradley Klahn (71st in ATP ranking) in the first round of the UniCredit Czech Open. How did he feel when the American started to have problems with his back at the end of the first set at 5:4? “It’s always very bad when the opponent struggles with problems. However, I played quite well until 5:4 and I believed I would continue the good performance. I’m glad I made it and, most importantly, that I’ve advanced to the next round.“
Klahn lay down on a towel on the court once in the first and three times in the second set when changing the sides and the therapist tried to relieve him from pain by special exercises. “I didn’t think about it. It was his problem.“
It’s been Adam Pavlasek’s best achievement in his career so far. He had never beaten an ATP top hundred player before. “That’s correct. It is great for me and I want to believe that I will continue playing well.“
Was he afraid when the promising lead of 4:0 suddenly changed to 4:3 and the American was playing well? “I didn’t think about it. They say a match ends only after the last point is played. On the other hand, I have to admit the American was much braver all of a sudden. Fortunately, the match didn’t turn in his favour and I finally won. I’m glad I made it.“
Adam watched Klahn’s matches on YouTube the evening before the match. “I could see something, but it was rather a few rallies. I didn’t check the draw and I didn’t know who I was to play next. Every match is very hard at a challenger with such great players. Did I look ahead? I really didn’t dare,“ said Pavlasek who beat a top 100 player for the first time. By advancing to the second round, he levelled up his maximum at a challenger tournament.
