Bernard Tomic knocks out Guillermo Garcia-Lopez in the first round – Thailand Open 2012
Eighth seed, Australia’s Bernard Tomic, thrashed the world number 63, Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain, in straight sets 6-0, 6-2 in the opening round of the Thailand Open in Bangkok.
Tomic, who did not impress with his game in the preceding months, looked like getting back his form, as he completely dominated the contest against the 2010 Thailand Open champion.
The Australian player was flawless in the first set, as he did not allow Garcia-Lopez to claim even a single game till the end, breaking the Spaniard three times and holding his entire serves to seal it 6-0.
The 19-year-old smashed a single ace and made the same number of double faults in the first set, maintaining a first serve percentage of 71 and clinching 10 of the 15 points on them. Responding aggressively to his opponent’s deliveries,
the 6ft 5in tall secured nine of the 15 first and eight of the 10 second return points.
Start of the second set was stable, as none of the two players dropped serve in the first four games and squared off the proceedings at 2-2. Though, Tomic got hold of the proceedings after that, clinching four in a row to close
it 6-2.
Contrary to his reputation, the Australian number one could not hit even a single ace in the second set. The right-hander committed one double fault, kept his first serve percentage at 65 and converted 11 of the 17 of them into
points. The Monte-Carlo, Monaco resident fared brilliantly on the second deliveries and returns, as he pocketed seven of the nine and 10 of the 15 points on them respectively.
After failing to guide his country to win in the Davis Cup World Group tie against Germany from September 14 to 16, Tomic headed here few days in advance to get feel of the courts.
Talking to the reporters after the match, "It was not easy. He is a good player and won this tournament before. But I'm playing really well. I'm happy that I arrived here early and trained under the heat to get ready. I have to
keep my head up."
Tomic will play the world number 106, Dudi Sela of Israel, in the second round.
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