Anton Ivanov clears first round of Men’s Singles event - Russia Open Update
Men’s Singles campaigner Anton Ivanov of Russia enthralled his compatriot Stepan Yaroslavcev in opening round of Russia Open Grand Prix and won a spot in pre quarter-finals on June 27, 2012.
The 34-minute fight lasted for only two sets and was resolved with final figures of 21-15 and 21-19.
This straight-set win put him against another Russian player Denis Grachev and this clash is going to be a tough trial for both shuttlers as their quarter-final seat will be at stake.
Anton Ivanov, who is famous for powerful smashes and deceiving net play, will surely employ his valuable experience of the first round where he stamped his supremacy in a hard fought contest.
He started the ball rolling by claiming first match point on merit. He outclassed his challenger technically as well as tactically.
In first half of opening set, he put the opposing shuttler under huge pressure by prevailing in eight rallies without any interruption.
The eight-point lead broke the backbone of his challenger and he could not rise all the way to mid-game break.
Stepan, who was still inexperienced for such pressure situations, hardly put any resistance during this beating and stayed low until 3-11.
There was not much for him in later part of the game also as his superior rival managed to go in same flow.
Anton strengthened his grip with 16-6 total and then capitalised this advantage to finish first segment of the show with a favourable margin of 21-15.
However, second game was not a dead contest as both shuttlers played with right attitude and fortitude to register their mark.
They did not allow each other to make difference and remained competitive all the way to game point situation.
The victorious player of the first game was a bit sluggish in the start as he made unforced errors which allowed his competitor to gain a slight edge of two points in 7-5.
Though, Stepan placed a respectable margin of 11-8 before interval but he lost that rhythm in later part of the game which cost him a crucial match.
The game remained on knife’s edge until 19-18 but Anton Ivanov gathered last two points to secure the honour with 21-19 total.
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