Alexandr Dolgopolov trounces Filippo Volandri to reach round two – Valencia Open 2012
Ukrainian number one, Alexandr Dolgopolov, warded off late resistance to outrun the Italian contender, Filippo Volandri, in straight sets at the Valencia Open 2012 on Tuesday. He penned down a 6-3, 7-6(5) victory against the 31-year-old to power into the
second round at this ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) World Tour 500 series event held in Valencia, Spain.
The Ukrainian star displayed exceptional skills to outsmart Volandri for the third straight time. After recording the victory in one hour and 14 minutes, Dolgopolov improved to a 3-0 lifetime in the FedEx ATP Head 2 Head Series against the 31-year-old and
secured a spot in the round of 16 at this indoor hard court event.
Dolgopolov high-spiritedly entered the Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències. He got the coveted break in the fourth game through his exceptional skills and jumped to a 4-1 lead. The Ukrainian held his composure and bagged his remaining serves with poise, eventually
sealing the opener by winning six games to three. He was never challenged with any breakpoint and converted one out of two break chances to his advantage.
Ranked 21st in the South African Airways ATP World Tour Rankings, Dolgopolov maintained his intensity in the following set. He slid his entire serves without facing any trouble. The high flying Ukrainian wasted all three break chances but remained
focused and took the set to a tie-breaker. He dominated in it and clicked the set with a 7-6(5) win.
On the whole, the 23-year-old hammered nine aces and produced a better first serve share of 65 per cent as compared to his rival’s 61 per cent. He also superbly marked 33 out of 39 points on it and ended the match with 81 points.
Up next for Dolgopolov is the conqueror of the match between eighth seeded Milos Raonic and the Luxembourgian contestant, Gilles Muller.
The American contender, Sam Querrey, will join the Ukrainian blooming star in the following round. He blocked the only breakpoint he came across to keep his entire serves. The in-form American required a single break of serve to manipulate a 6-3, 7-6(4)
score line in one hour and 20 minutes.
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