Andrey Kuznetsov, Gerard Granollers-Pujol move to the main draw of Grand Prix Hassan II
Andrey Kuznetsov defeats Conor Niland
Russian Andrey Kuznetsov, ranked 244th in the world, outclassed world number 144 Conor Niland in straight sets to qualify for the main round at the Grand Prix Hassan II in Casablanca on Monday. The Russian allowed his
opponent to win just two games in the entire match, clinching it 6-2, 6-0. Kuznetsov took just 51 minutes to oust his opponent in a one sided match.
The Russian broke his opponent in the first and third game to race to a 4-0 lead in the opening set. Niland showed some resistance as he held his serve in the fifth game and broke his opponent in the next game to reduce Kuznetsov’s
lead to 4-2. However, the Russian won two consecutive games to win the first set 6-2.
Kuznetsov converted four of the seven break points he received in the opening set. The 20-year-old failed to save the only break point he faced in the first set.
The Russian clinched six straight games in the second set, winning it 6-0. The right-handed capitalized on three of the four break chances he received in the second set.
Kuznetsov will meet fellow qualifier Sergio Gutierrez-Ferrol of Spain in the next match.
Gerard Granollers-Pujol beats Roberto Bautista-Agut
World number 331 Gerard Granollers-Pujol of Spain prevailed over his compatriot Roberto Bautista-Agut, ranked 195th in the world, 6-4, 6-7(8), 6-2 in the final round of the qualifying stage.
Granollers-Pujol needed a single break of serve to win the opening set, 6-4. He delivered 76 per cent of the first serves, converting 73 per cent of the points on them in the first set. In comparison, Bautista-Agut hit 48 per cent
of the first serves and won 82 per cent of the points on them.
Both players broke each other twice in the second set, taking it to a tie-break. Bautista-Agut claimed a late mini-break to win the tie-break 8-6. The Spaniard fired in a single ace and hit three double faults in the second set.
Bautista-Agut saved two of the four break points he faced in the set. The 22-year-old converted two of the three break chances he received in the second set.
After losing a close second set, Granollers-Pujol dominated the final set as he broke his opponent twice, winning the set 6-2. He kept his first serve percentage at 69 per cent and converted 61 per cent of his first serves into
points in the deciding set. On the other hand, his opponent hit a single ace and 66 per cent of the first serves in the third set.
Granollers-Pujol is drawn to play seven seed Italian Fabio Fognini in the first round of the main draw.
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