Adam El Mihdawy toils past Sekou Bangoura in the first round – Challenger of Granby 2011 CH
In the all-American clash that took place on Tuesday, Adam El Mihdawy defeated his fellow compatriot, Sekou Bangoura, in the opening round of the National Bank’s Challenger of Granby, in Granby Canada.
The enthralling contest lasted for one hour and fifty four minutes before Mihdawy sealed victory in the third set 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, to carry on his voyage at the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) Challenger Tour event.
Both contestants put up a great exhibition of their tennis skills on the hard courts of Granby but it was Mihdawy who won the battle of nerves in the most convincing manner. The American was off to a sloppy start to the contest
but recovered from a one-set deficit with great mastery to eventually come out as the winner.
The “other” American, Bangoura, had an excellent beginning to the game but gradually lost his steam in the later parts of the matchup. He quickly took hold of the opening set, delivering 77 per cent serve on target and secured
16 out of 23 first serve points to get the upper hand in the game. Mihdawy hung in the set initially but was pushed out by a quality display of pro tennis from his fellow countryman.
Both men exchanged one serve break each to take the scores to 4-4 before a timely break point from the racquet of Bangoura let him serve for the set at 5-4. He comprehensively served out of the opener at 6-4 to get one up in the
contest and was anticipated that Bangoura will keep his winning momentum in the following sets as well but he utterly failed to do so.
Mihdawy made a tremendous comeback in the next set and reeled off 11 out of 13 first serve points to get the advantage back on his side. The American stung one serve break in the sixth game, which proved sufficient for him to seal
the second set at 6-3 and level the contest at 1-1.
The final set was all Mihdawy’s, as he converted two out of his six break opportunities to dispense out Bangoura form the competition. He sealed victory at 6-2 to earn a place in the second round of the National Bank’s Challenger
of Granby tournament.
Up next in the second round for Mihdawy is the seventh seeded Frenchman, Arnaud Clement, who stood victorious against his fellow compatriot, Mathieu Rodrigues in straight sets 6-3, 6-3, in the opening round on Tuesday.
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