Haase misses two set points in Rosmalen defeat

The Ricoh Open has ended in disappointment for Robin Haase. Last year’s semi-finalist and crowd favorite succumbed to the seventh seed, Gilles Muller (ATP-44) in straight sets,7-6(7), 6-4.

Haase created two continuous break chances in the seventh game, but Muller was able to rely on his service and managed to make it 4-4. The first set came down to a tiebreak, in which Haase marched to a 6-4 lead.

The player from The Hague had the possibility to serve the set out, but Muller rallied, took the initiative and wiped the second set point out. Finally the player from Luxembourg took the set at 8-7 with his offensive play.

It was striking that the Dutch number one regularly sought his opponent’s forehand, a tactic that not always went well. In this way Muller gave himself three unsuccessful break chances at the beginning of the second set.

At a 3-2 advantage Haase had three continuous break chances but two of them were well served by Muller and one possibility was lost after Haase returned into the net.

The missed chances must have hit extra hard when one game later Muller secured the deciding break with strong offensive play. At 5-4 the latter served out the match with his 24th ace.

Muller will meet Guillermo Garcia Lopez (ATP-53) in the next round. The Spaniard was too strong for the Canadian Vasek Pospisil (ATP-46): 7-6(7), 6-2