Alexandr Dolgopolov downs Jeremy Chardy to enter round two – Shanghai Rolex Masters 2012
Ukrainian number one, Alexandr Dolgopolov, stomped over the French rising star, Jeremy Chardy, in straight sets at the Shanghai Rolex Masters 2012 on Monday. He juggled up a 6-3, 6-2 victory against the 25-year-old to book a spot in the second round at this
outdoor hard court event held in Shanghai, People’s Republic of China.
Dolgopolov showed superb tennis and ultimately overpowered the French for the first time in their third encounter. The Ukrainian not only avenged his loss in Moscow last season but also lowered trail in the FedEx ATP Head 2 Head Series by 1-2 against Chardy.
The 23-year-old made a convincing entry at the Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena. He drew the first blood in the second game and leaped to a 3-0 lead. Dolgopolov swiped his remaining serves without encountering any barrier and eventually sealed the opener
by winning six games to three. He converted one out of five break chances to inch towards the glory.
Ranked 20th in the South African Airways ATP World Tour Rankings, Dolgopolov maintained consistency in his game in the following set. He got the desiderated break in the third game and jumped to a 3-1 lead. After Chardy held his serve in the fifth
game, the Ukrainian pocketed the last three games and clinched the set with a 6-2 score line. He was never threatened with any breakpoint and cashed two out of five break chances.
The Ukrainian youngster took full advantage of many double faults his opponent spilled. He produced a lower first serve share of 48 per cent as compared to the French’s 57 per cent but impressively availed 19 out of 25 points on it.
Up next for Dolgopolov is the conqueror of the match between 15th seeded Gilles Simon and the Austrian number one, Jurgen Melzer.
The ninth seed, Nicolas Almagro, became casualty of the day. He was underplayed by the former world number two, Tommy Haas, in gruelling three sets. The Spaniard hammered 18 aces and sought eight break opportunities. However, Almagro converted only one of
them to his advantage. Adding further to his misery, the Spaniard was broken twice, eventually suffering a 6-4, 6-7(4), 2-6 loss.
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