Andrey Kuznetsov shocks Nicolas Massu in first round – Uruguay Open 2011 CH
Chilean player Nicolas Massu had to pack his bags when Russian Andrey Kuznetsov outclassed him in straight sets on November 15, 2011. Their match, the first round competition at the Uruguay Open 2011, was the last stop for Massu
in Montevideo as Kuznetsov won the match 6-3, 6-4.
20-year old Russian, winner of the 2009 Junior Wimbledon looked in great shape when he kept a comprehensive lead in both sets against the 32-year old Massu, who played the third round of the 2001 Wimbledon, the fourth round of
2005 US Open and also has won two Olympic Gold Medals at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens.
Both players did not deliver any ace in the match, which showed that the two were trying to play a fair game without any forced errors.
As the first set began, both players conceded double faults thrice in the set. They were equal in terms of winning their first serve winning percentage. Massu had a 54% first serve winning ratio while Kuznetsov secured a 57% ratio.
The Russian has a slightly higher success rate in his first serve as compared to the Chilean. Kuznetsov won 57% points from his first serve while Massu could win 69% points.
In the second serve, they remained nearly equal. Kuznetsov won 58% points from his second serves while Massu won 55% points.
Ranked at 242nd spot in the world, Kuznetsov saved all four of his breakpoints as he maintained a decent run with his service games.
The 455th ranked Massu, on the other hand, could only save one breakpoint out of the three that he faced. The Russian proved to be a better competitor than Massu as he won the first set 6-3.
With the second set in progress, both players were again unable in delivering any aces. They did not concede any double faults either. They remained balanced with their serves as Massu had a 69% first serve winning ratio while
Kuznetsov managed to secure a 50% rate.
Massu was able to save four out of his six breakpoints while Kuznetsov was unsuccessful in saving the only breakpoint he faced. Massu is an experiences player in the ATP circuit but he could not face the energy and enthusiasm with
which Kuznetsov was playing the match.
The Chilean, who turned professional in 1997, has won 149 matches in the ATP division and lost 98. On the other hand, Kuznetsov, who has a win/loss ratio of 19/25 in ATP tennis, was showing maturity as he went on winning games
in the match.
Kuznetsov, with his good shot selection, timing and confidence won the second set 6-4 and sailed into the second round of the tournament.
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