David's Comeback Match Part I - Review

(Óle)

After 47 minutes, a record-breaking total of six breaks in eight games and David taking the first set 6-2, his comeback match against Potito Starace had to be suspended last night because of torrential rains in Buenos Aires.
Hopefully, the match will be continued today (third match Cancha Central, after Gasquet vs Chela; around 3.15pm local) as the weather forecast predicts more rain... (Key statements from a new interview with David as well as more photos from last night I've added here.)


(Marcelo Figueras/Clarin)

A look back at what happened last night.
Walking into the stadium to play his first match after nine months, David seemed surprisingly relaxed and more happy to finally be back than nervous. My impression also was that he looked fitter than he did in December for the exhos and that he has lost a few more kilos. Another thing he has lost - his trademark ponytail. Directly before the start of the match, David made a gesture with his hand that, with hindsight, can only be called prophetic as he held out his hand, feeling for rain...

David had to serve first, started the match with a first backhand winner and without displaying any signs of nerves managed to hold to 30. A good start and very important in that moment, though it would be the last time that he was able to hold fairly comfortably.
On return, however, David came out all guns blazing. From the start, he got a good read on Starace's serve, both first and second, and was able to put the Italian under immediate pressure with aggressive, deep returns that either drew errors or allowed David control of the rallies. The result were two break points for David in this game, the second of which he was able to convert when Starace's attempt to counter David's drop-shot with a drop-shot of his own landed wide. Break David, 2-0.
David's next service game saw the first bit of serve & volley from him. But it also saw his first serve percentage starting to go down and David struggling on second serve. After wasting a couple of game points with backhand errors, David had to save a first breakpoint before he finally "pulled himself together again" and managed to consolidate his break with a beautiful forehand long-line. 3-0.
Back on return, David continued to look more comfortable then when serving. It was during the return games that David was able to play with more variety and come to the net, thanks his returns. Even if he missed three of those in this game, all three of them at break point... But only to follow it up with yet another great one that set up a fourth one and this time, it was a forehand error by Starace that gave David the double break and a 4-0 lead.
But that double break was short-lived. At this point, the service games on both sides (except the very first one) had been hard-fought and included several deuces. But this was to change now. A rather sloppy game from David with several unforced errors and an admittedly great drop-shot by Starace saw the Italian recover one of the breaks, 4-1. But only to then immediately drop his own serve again to love with a really poor game. Double break restored, 5-1.
Then it was David's turn to serve for the match... With David quickly down 0-30, Starace managed to outplay David with a drop-shot/passing shot combination that set up 3 break points. And then Starace followed it up with a forehand winner. Re-break again, 5-2.
This was the moment I thought David might have lost his focus or that maybe, he was growing a little tired. But the next (and last) game would prove me wrong. After another great return to set up the forehand winner and get to 15-30, the moment came for the most spectacular rally of the night... But you can see it for yourself, in the YouTube clip below (thanks, Andvari!). Eventually, David converted his second set point and in style - with a return winner.

All in all, I'd say that it was a good start. Just like in the exho matches last December, David's forehand seemed improved and more solid than it often was in the past. He played very aggressively from the baseline and constructed his points well, often using his backhand to set up the eventual winner (which often came with the forehand). I also thought that he moved well, given the circumstances. The only thing that was far from impressive was his serve... It'll be interesting to see whether he simply had a bad serving day or whether there's more to it. - And I can only hope that we'll get to see it today, that the match can be finished...