2011 French Open: Albert Ramos wins the epic battle against Javier Marti in opening round
In an all-Spanish affair in the first round of the French Open, the world number 117, Albert Ramos, defeated Javier Marti to move on to the second round of the Grand Slam tournament. Ramos edged past his fellow compatriot in an enthralling contest, 6-3, 6-7(5), 4-6, 6-1, 6-3, in a four hour and twenty seven minutes marathon match.
It was the first time these two men went one-on-one against each other and put up an epic performance in front of the local crowd at Paris. Both contestants exhibited nerves of steel to keep battling it out for more than four hours but Ramos eventually proved to be the better player in the end. The contest was extended to five sets as none of the competitors was willing to submit the game.
23-year-old Ramos had a ballistic start to the game and reeled off the opening two sets to get in a commanding position in the contest. Exceptionally talented Marti came from behind to surprise every one by bagging the following two sets, levelling the game at 2-2 after more than three hours of play. However, the 19-year-old Spaniard eventually crumbled in the decisive fifth set to let Ramos away with victory and granting him a pass to the second round of Roland Garros.
It was the fifth victory for Ramos in the running ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) season, while he has already suffered five losses so far. Apart from dropping the second and third set, Ramos remained dominant in throughout the game. He served with 60 per cent precision, firing nine aces along with it, while his opponent was ahead of him with his 74 per cent first serve.
Ramos conceded 83 unforced errors, which certainly an alarming figure in a contest but he was closely followed by Marti, who spilled 77 of those. A number of break points were witnessed in the marathon match, with Ramos converting 12 out of 31 chances and his opponent cracking eight out of 28 opportunities in the game.
The Spaniard simply outclassed Marti to clinch the opening two sets at 6-3 each but dropped the third one in a tie breaker round after a stiff contest. Marti brought the game on even terms by winning the fourth set 6-4 but an assertive reply from Ramos was seen in the final set of the contest, which he sealed at 6-1.
Up next for Ramos will be either the lucky loser from America, Ryan Harrison, or the world number five Robin Soderling in the second round of the French Open.
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