Bradley Klahn plonks Alex Kuznetsov to reach main draw – Farmers Classic 2012
American contestant, Bradley Klahn, trounced his compatriot, Alex Kuznetsov, in straight sets in the final qualifying round of Farmers Classic 2012 on Monday. He nudged up a 7-6(5), 7-6(2) victory against the world number 201 to occupy a spot in the main
draw at the Los Angeles Tennis Center in California, United States.
The left-handed American, Klahn, dominated in both sets’ tie-breaker to carve out the victory in almost two hour. Battling each other for the first time at this Emirates Airline US Open Series, Klahn comfortably progressed into opening round where Italy’s
Paolo Lorenzi awaits.
Klahn stepped into this ATP World Tour 250 series event in high spirits. He drew the first blood in the fourth game and took a 3-1 lead. Apart from losing his edge in the very next game, the lower ranked American remained focused and dragged the set to a
tie-breaker. He dominated in it and eventually clinched the opening set with a 7-6(5) score line.
Ranked 613th in the South African Airways ATP World Tour Rankings, Klahn swayed from his path towards the following set and endured the first blow in the second game. However, he quickly counterattacked in the very next game and swiped his remaining
serves after blocking the lone breakpoint he faced. The set went to a tie-breaker where Klahn cruised to a 5-1 lead in it before pocketing the set with a 7-6(2) win.
Summing up performance of the 21-year-old, Klahn spilled fewer double faults but manifested a better first serve share of 70 per cent as opposed to his opponent’s 61 per cent. He also found eight break chances and blocked both breakpoints he came across.
Klahn will face off the Italian contender, Paolo Lorenzi, in the opening round at this outdoor hard court event.
The qualifying fifth seed, Ricardas Berankis, will accompany the American underdog in the main draw. He lost his serve twice but capitalised on six out of 14 break chances to formulate a 6-2, 6-3 score line. The Lithuanian star jolted down a lower first
serve share of 55 per cent as opposed to his rival’s 68 per cent but brilliantly clicked 23 out of 29 points on it.
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