Comeback Match Part II - The Winner is: David

(Mauro Alfieri/La Nacion)

David has won his first official match in nine months, eventually prevailing against Potito Starace 6-2, 7-6(2). After play had to be suspended last night, the match had to be completed today and this second part of it unfolded rather differently from the first, with the second set going to a tiebreak. There, David dropped the first two points - and then won seven in a row.

This victory means that David will now face Daniel Gimeno-Traver (who beat Nicolas Almagro) in the second round. Just like last year, by the way. The match will take place on Wednesday evening at 7.30pm local.

Unlike in the first set of the match, both David and his opponent Starace didn't have too many problems holding serve. While David, who served a lot better than on Monday night, didn't face a single break point throughout the set, he was also unable to convert the two chances he had to break Starace's serve as the Italian came up with some great serves in those moments. David also wasn't able to dictate play quite as much as on Monday and he found it more difficult to finish off points, showing a poor shot selection at times, which I'd put down to his lack of match practice.
The eventual tiebreak David began by gifting Starace a mini-break with a backhand error. But after going down 0-2, David went on a tear and won 7 points in a row, once again playing the aggressive tennis we saw from him on Monday and finally converting his first match point with a well-timed attack at the net, forcing the error from Starace.

Some quotes from David after the match...

Both last night and today I felt perfect, without experiencing any discomfort. We now have to wait [and see how I feel] after the match but I'm really very happy.

I am happy to play tennis again, to compete. Having spent so much time away from the circuit, playing in Argentina, at home, helped to motivate me even more.
(Source: Telam via MundoD)

I'm happy to be back, playing matches. I did very well in training but a match is something different, and you don't know how well you'll be able to play the important points. But I felt comfortable.

I think that for a first match, I played very well. But I still have to improve some things and the body needs to adjust to the demands [of playing matches]. I didn't feel any discomfort but we'll have to see what happens, day by day. There's still a bit of uncertainty.
(Source: La Nacion)

(EFE)

More photos here.