Bastl upsets Pioline in Tashkent
Switzerland's George Bastl has made a great start to the ATP tournament in Tashkent, knocking out the number three seed, Cédric Pioline, in straight sets.
After beating the Frenchman 6-1, 6-3, Bastl said he had regained his composure after an initially shaky start.
“Cédric won his first service game easily and then had two break points against my serve,” recalled Bastl. “Saving those points gave me great confidence. I started to play very well after that.”
The 25-year-old from canton Vaud appears to like the air in Uzbekistan. In last year’s tournament he reached the final only to be beaten by Germany’s Nicolas Kiefer.
Bastl will be hoping to experience déjà vu in the second round when he comes up against the French qualifier Anthony Dupuis. Dupuis was one of the opponents who Bastl defeated en route to last year’s final.
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