2011 French Open: Gilles Simon prevails over Michael Russell in the first round
World number 18 Gilles Simon of France came back strong after losing the second set to knock out world number 93 Michael Russell of USA in four sets 6-3, 4-6, 6-1, 6-0 in the opening round of French Open at Roland Garros in Paris
on Tuesday. Simon took two hours and eighteen minutes to beat his opponent in an evenly contested match.
The French needed a single break of serve in the first set to win it 6-3. The 26-year-old had a low first serve percentage as he managed to deliver just 46 percent of the first serves and clinched 75 percent of the points on them
in the first set. Simon hit twelve winners and committed just three unforced errors compared to ten winners and nine unforced errors by Russell. The American could not save one of the two break points he faced and failed to convert the only break point on
Simon’s serve in the first set.
Russell fought back in the second set as he broke Simon in the first game and held his next service game to take a 2-0 lead. The French broke back in the eighth game to level the score at 4-4. After that, Russell claimed two consecutive
games, winning the set 6-4. The American hit one ace and 82 percent of the first deliveries, clinching 66 percent of the points on them in the second set. The 33-year-old capitalized on two of the three break point opportunities he created and saved five of
the six break points on his own serve in the second set.
Simon came back roaring in the third set, dropping only a single game and breaking his opponent thrice to win the set 6-1. The French improved his first serve percentage, firing 71 percent of the first serves and winning 67 percent
of the points on them. The right–handed hit nine winners and made six unforced errors in the third set. Simon did not face any break point and converted all the three break points he received in the third set.
The French was flawless in the fourth set as he did not lose even a single game, breaking the American three times and winning six straight games to capture a bagel set 6-0. The six feet tall played defensively as he hit just three
winners and committed the same number of unforced errors. On the other hand, Russell made thirteen unforced errors in the fourth set. The American failed in saving three of the four break points he faced in the fourth set.
Simon is drawn to take on fellow countryman Jeremy Chardy, ranked 61st in the world, in the second round. Chardy ousted Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov in straight sets 6-2, 6-4, 6-4 in the round of 128.
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