Benjamin Mitchell through to first round after early wobble – L, G & T Tennis Challenger 2011
Australian Benjamin Mitchell overcame a spirited challenge from Bruno Semenzato of Brazil to enter the first round the main draw with a 7-5, 4-6, 6-1 score line, being played at Binghamton Center Court, Binghamton, United States.
Semenzato, who is ranked 748th in the ATP world rankings list, had been performing really well in his recent ATP’s Future and Challenger events and was expected to breeze through against Australian Mitchell.
However, Mitchell has other ideas and made Semenzato life distinctly uncomfortable for a set and half before the Australian, who had been struggling in his first two qualifying matches at the tournament, turned things around in style, reeling off remaining games in a row to enter the main draw.
World number 356 possessed a big serve and forehand and both helped him saving a couple of break points in the opening set of the match.
The Australian was warming to his task and he threatened the Semenzato serve for the first time in tenth eleventh game, who easily saved two of his break points but on third he sailed a forehand long and that left Mitchell serving for the set and he took it when a scrambled Semenzato lob landed long, allowing the Australian to grab the early advantage.
The 18-year-old Mitchell was playing out of his skin, going for and playing massive shots off both his wings, giving the Barbadian a much tougher fight than surely he would have ever expected.
Semenzato, who would have been frustrated to lose the opening set had managed to hold the upper hand in the second, saving seven of eight break point opportunities to keep building an immense pressure upon the American.
Although Mitchell quickly broke back to take the score to 4-4, Semenzato remained icy cool and there was no ranting and raving from the Barbadian, who was urging himself on almost carefully, taking his opportunities when Mitchell wobbled for the first time in the ninth game and handed over the second set to his Barbadian Opponent.
After weathering the storm, the expectation was that Semenzato would stamp his authority on proceeding, and this is something never happened.
A brilliant forehand cross court get the Australian back on board and from there the pair’s fortunes went in vastly different directions.
All of Semenzato’s belief seemed to have drained away, who looked nothing but an ordinary player, allowing Mitchell to cream winners at will off backhand and forehand.
The ending of the match was pretty near when the Australian made it to five games in row and then concluded the match and the third set 6-1 in brilliant style with a forehand winner and bringing his fans to their feet.
Mitchell now moves on into the first round of main draw where he will meet Adam El Mihdawy of America.
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