Bernard Tomic prevails over Ryan Harrison in the first round – Western & Southern Open 2012
World number 49, Bernard Tomic of Australia, made a successful debut in Cincinnati, as he ousted USA’s world number 58, Ryan Harrison, in straight sets 6-4, 7-6(5) in the first round of Western & Southern Open on Sunday. The Australian
number one needed one hour and 31 minutes to win the contest.
Tomic and Harrison began by winning their opening serves to equalise the score at 1-1. The Australian snatched a break in the third game and consolidated on it to go up 3-1. Tomic retained his lead till the end of the set and grabbed
it 6-4.
The Australian contender fired two aces and did not commit any double fault, keeping his first serve percentage at 68. The 6ft 5in tall had a stunning conversion rate, as he captured 13 of the 15 first and all the seven second
delivery points. The Monte-Carlo, Monaco resident did not face any break threat and utilised the only opportunity he got in the opener.
Tomic and Harrison made a more stable start in the second set, as they did not lose their serve in the first six games to square off the score at 3-3. The Australian player clinched a breakthrough in the seventh to take a 4-3 lead
but Harrison struck back immediately to level the proceedings at 4-4. There was not break of serve in the rest of the set, taking the score to 6-6 and forcing a tie-breaker. Tomic won first two points to move ahead 2-0 and did not allow his American opponent
to come back, sealing it 7-6(5).
Harrison and Tomic are two of the youngest players in the top 100. There is a difference of just five months between their age, with Harrison being 20 and Tomic 19-year-old.
Tomic said after the match, “To get an opportunity to play Ryan or someone his age is a bit strange. But it’s a good thing. I enjoyed it today. I'm sure we both really wanted to win. I played well in the first set and was up a
break in the second. He played well to come back to take it to a tie-break.”
He added, “Playing a tennis match sometimes comes down to one or two points. If you take those opportunities, you can win the set. Today, I managed to come back from two set points down. I hit a good serve and played a good point.”
The Australian teenager will either play Brian Baker or Philipp Kohlschreiber in the second round.
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