Court 16. Two unpredictable players. One long thriller. Ernests Gulbis and 30th-seeded Jeremy Chardy played a five set epic in their first round match at the Australian Open. The Frenchman prevailed 7-5, 2-6, 6-7(5), 6-3, 13-11 to move into the second round. He’ll face Andrey Kuznetsov who defeated Ryan Harrison in straight sets.

Gulbis Pays For Not Serving Set Out As Chardy Steals Opener

The Latvian was the one to strike first after he broke in Chardy’s second service game for a 2-1 lead and then consolidated it to go 3-1. Both players remained steady on serve, and it was Gulbis who retained his break lead at 5-4 and had a shot to close out the opening frame.

Gulbis is a mysterious player. One point he’ll be producing brilliant shotmaking, the other he will be making questionable decisions or making lackadaisical plays. The latter was completely evident when he had the chance to serve out the set but failed to do so and was broken promptly for five-all. Chardy would hold then break once more to take the opening set 7-5.

Gulbis Dominates Second Set

Just like the opener, Gulbis broke for a 2-1 lead and consolidated for 3-1. You’d think the set would be deja vu right? Well not even close. Chardy held once more to make it 3-2 but would not get another game after that. The former French Open semifinalist delivered a second break in the set for 5-2 and closed out the second set 6-2.

Latvian Fails To Serve Out Set Once Again But Wins In Tiebreak

For a third consecutive set, Gulbis broke then held his serve to go up 3-1. However, he was made to work for his hold for the 3-1 lead as he was forced to save break points. The world number 79 continued to fend off the 30th-seeded Frenchman, saving more break points to extend his lead to 4-2.

Once again, the Latvian was put in a predicament serving for the set. Chardy delivered the crucial blow necessary on his fourth break point to level the set at five-all in this topsy-turvy affair. In the ensuing tiebreaker, Gulbis raced out to a 5-2 lead which was too much for the Frenchman to overcome as he closed out the tiebreaker 7-6(5).

Chardy Captures Early Break To Force Decider

After seeing his serve broken so many times early in the set, the Frenchman decided it was time for a change. On his third opportunity, he broke for the elusive break lead that he needed to remain in front. The lead nearly evaporated after facing break points in his following service game. However, the Frenchman saved it and dominated on serve the rest of the set as this match was headed five.

Chardy Survives After 100+ Minute Thriller

For the first time in the match, no one was broken in their first two service games as it looked like it was going to be a server’s delight until someone faltered. Chardy had two looks at break point in the fourth game but could not deliver. And then it was Gulbis who had chances to break in two separate games, the fifth and the seventh, but also could not deliver, squandering a 0-40 lead in that fifth game.

As the score continued to rise, the games began a bit more tense as each man knew one break of serve was all they needed to swing the momentum their way to try and close out the match. Gulbis was the one to deliver the first blow to break for 5-4 and was granted the opportunity to serve for the match.

Like we said earlier, Gulbis is a mysterious player and quite the character. With his strong serving display throughout most of the match, you’d think he could close it out right? Well you’re wrong. Like the first and third set, maybe it was an odd set syndrome for Gulbis, he was broken when serving for the set, and this time the match. You could not write a script like this for Gulbis, or maybe you could for the Latvian. Four errors, including two short balls he dumped into the net, cost him the game, set, and match, and the marathon would ensue.

Ernests Gulbis of Latvia has a drink in between games in his first round match against Jeremy Chardy of France during day two of the 2016 Australian Open. (Photo by Pat Scala/Getty Images)

Chardy earned the first taste of match points up 8-7 with the Latvian serving. Three unforced errors helped him get there, but Gulbis went from zero to hero in a flash. He saved two match points, first with a brilliant backhand which he followed with a stunning half-volley which just got over the net. The second one was saved after an ace down the tee. Chardy was convinced it was out, but there was no challenge system on Court 16 much to his dismay. On courtside for ESPN was Pam Shriver, and she was fully convinced herself that the mark was out. However, they played on.

Gulbis displayed brilliance once again at deuce. The Frenchman delivered a drop shot but watched as Gulbis volley lob it out of the air and have it land on the line. Brilliance once again from the Latvian as he’d eventually hold for eight-all.

Chardy on the other hand was only challenged once on serve and didn’t even face a break point. Gulbis had an opening at 0-30, but the Frenchman held for 9-8. Gulbis saved two more match points before leveling for nine-all. The two continued to grind as it was nearing near crunch time for someone.

Gulbis looked to have flipped the momentum his way serving down 11-12, 0-15 after his own drop shot was returned by one from Chardy himself, only for the Latvian to casually guide it past the 30 seed who was covering the line. Despite that, a double-fault made it 15-30 which was followed by a netted forehand for 15-40 and two more match points.

Gulbis, who’s been gutsy on second serves down break or match point throughout the set, continued the trend by saving a sixth match point. However, all his hard work ended as he netted a forehand to end the set after 109 minutes as Chardy took the decider 13-11.

Ernie, Being Ernie

Many people are familiar with the phrase, “Manny being Manny” from the former Boston Red Sox great Manny Ramirez. Well tennis has, “Ernie being Ernie”, with Ernie referring to Gulbis. When asked about the match-fixing scandal that’s rocked tennis, only Gulbis could deliver an answer like the one below.


 

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About the author
Noel John Alberto
Filipino-American sports journalist from Toms River, NJ. UMBC Graduate and aspiring physical therapist. Tennis editor and multi-sport coordinator for VAVEL USA. Writer for Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Serie A sections of VAVEL UK. Sports aficionado. Host of the On The Line tennis podcast.