Abierto Mexicano Telcel: Alexandr Dolgopolov trounces Carlos Berlocq 6-4, 6-1
Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine defeated his doubles partner Carlos Berlocq of Argentina in the 2nd round of the Abierto Mexicano Telcel in Acapulco today. Dolgopolov, the sixth seed, delivered a 6-4, 6-1 defeat to the more senior player.
The unconventional shot-maker from Kiev is currently ranked 26th in the world and is on an excellent run of form. He made the quarterfinals of the Australian Open recently, followed by a place in the final of the Costa Do Sauipe in Brazil. He has risen in world rankings from No.46 to No.26 in less than a month and is showing no signs of slowing down.
His opponent and doubles partner Carlos Berlocq is an ATP veteran. He turned pro in 2001, but has never been able to break into the highest echelons of the tennis world and is currently ranked world No.71.
The match started off with the two players trading heavy blows, with both holding serve easily. Dolgopolov’s serve was not at its best; he only kept in 43 per cent of his first serves. He did, however, convert every single first serve into a point. His opponent delivered 63 per cent of his first serves correctly, but only managed to win 71 per cent of the points off of it. The Argentine’s second serve was vulnerable though and his opponent took full advantage of it; he managed to set up two break points and then converted one to take the set 6-4.
The second set saw a complete breakdown of Berlocq’s game. His serve suffered: only 54 per cent of his first serves landed in. He managed only 40 per cent of the points on the first serves he got right and only 31 per cent on the second serve. Dolgopolov created 4 break opportunities and converted 3. The set ended 6-1, handing Dolgopolov an easy victory.
Dolgopolov will face Stanislas Wawrinka in the next round. It’s a match to look forward to, since both players play a thrilling offensive game.
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