2011 Sony Ericsson Open: Somdev Devvarman, Xavier Malisse move to the second round
Somdev Devvarman defeats Potitio Starace 6-2, 6-4
World number 73 Somdev Devvarman of India upset world number 47 Potitio Starace of Italy 6-2, 6-4 in the first round of the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami on Wednesday. The Indian took just 1 hour and 9 minutes to oust his opponent in a one-sided contest.
Devvarman did not face much resistance from Starace in the opening set, breaking his opponent twice to win the set 6-2. The Indian did not serve very well as he did not hit any ace and delivered just 50 per cent of the first serves in the first set. However,
he dominated the set with the help of his powerful ground strokes.
Devvarman converted 2 of the 3 break points he received in the opening set. He did not face any break point in the first set.
The Indian needed a single break of serve in the second set, winning it 6-4. The 26-year-old improved his serve, hitting 1 ace and 76 per cent of the first serves in the second set. The right handed won 79 per cent of the points on his first serve. On the
other hand, Starace delivered 55 per cent of the first serves, winning 63 per cent of the points on them.
Devvarman will face world number 34 Milos Raonic of Canada in the second round. The Canadian, seeded 31st at the championship, received a bye in the first round.
Xavier Malisse beats Ryan Sweeting 7-6(3), 6-4
Xavier Malisse of Belgium defeated Ryan Sweeting of USA in straight sets 7-6(3), 6-4 to qualify for the second round of the men’s singles event.
Malisse and Sweeting broke each other twice in the first twelve games of the opening set, levelling the score at 6-6 to force a tie-break. The Belgian claimed two mini-breaks in the tie-break, winning it 7-3.
Malisse fired in 4 aces and 68 per cent of the first serves in the opening set. The 30-year-old saved 2 of the 4 break points he faced in the first set. In comparison, his opponent saved 4 of the 6 break points he faced in the opening set.
In the second set, Malisse broke his opponent in the eighth game to clinch the set 6-4. He delivered 68 per cent of the first serves and converted 78 per cent of them into points in the second set. The Belgian converted the only break point he received in
the second set.
The right handed is drawn to meet world number 25 Michael Llodra of France in the second round. This will be the fourth meeting between these two. Llodra leads Malisse 2-1 in the head-to-head record.
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