Liam Broady was forced to pull out of his quarter-final clash with Marin Cilic after succumbing to an abdominal injury that had troubled him throughout his long run through qualifying and the first two rounds of the ATP 250 event in Tel Aviv.
After a comfortable first qualifying round win over Italian Roberto Marcora, Broady was forced to fight through a first set tie break before a 6-1 second set saw him overcome Spain’s Nicolas Alvarez- Varona.
Having qualified in straight sets, Broady edged two tight sets against Croatia’s Hamad Medjedovic 7-5 6-3. The second round, Broady’s fourth match of the week was a knife-edge battle before Broady overcame Number 5 seeded, Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp, who went into the tie ranked number 35.
Broady took an early 3-0 lead, and then saved four break points to hold for 5-2. He was broken whilst serving for the set at 5-3, but then broke straight back to seal the set, 6-4.
The second set went the way of the Dutchman, whose single break in the third game proved decisive as he recorded a 6-4 verdict.
A marathon second game of the final set, finally went Broady’s way after he converted his fourth break point to take an early 2-0 lead. He then had to save two break points before sealing a 3-0 lead.
When he led 0-40 in the fourth game, it looked like the end was in site, but Van de Zandschulp showed great resilience to dig himself out of the hole and stay in the match.
However after two routine holds each, Broady was forced to save a final break point before sealing an exhausting and high quality 6-3 victory to book his quarter final slot.
Sadly, an abdominal injury that had been an increasing burden forced Broady to pull out of his quarter- final but having racked up 57 points in a hugely encouraging week.