Brian Baker devastates Blake Strode in the opening round – Tallahassee Tennis Challenger 2012 CH
In an all-American battle, wild card Brian Baker crushed his qualifying compatriot, Blake Strode, with a breadstick at the Family Circle Cup 2012 on Tuesday. He jolted down a 6-2, 6-1 victory against his 24-year-old fellow citizen to advance into the second
round at this ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) Challenger Tour event held in Tallahassee, Florida.
Baker showed his top class performance at this hard court event and after wiping out seven games in a row, he registered a straight success. After earning glory at this one hour and 14-minute duel, the 26-year-old secured a place in the round of 16. In their
last meeting with each other at the Canada F7 last year, Baker dumped his opponent in straight sets.
The 26-year-old flashed into the Forestmeadows Tennis Complex and drew the first blood in the opening set to take the initial lead. Regardless of losing his edge in the very next game, Baker broke his opponent’s serve again and consequently went 3-1 up.
He then maintained consistency in his game and capitalised on another break chance in the seventh game to seal the opener by winning six games to two.
Ranked 337th in the South African Airways ATP World Tour Rankings, Baker carried his momentum in the following set and wiped out the opening four games in a row before his compatriot could hold on. He then stroke out the last two games and pulled
out the set with a breadstick.
Overall, the higher ranked American spilled more double faults and produced a slightly lower first serve share of 57 per cent as compared to Strode’s 59 per cent. However, he superbly availed 16 out of 23 points on it and cashed in six out of 10 break opportunities
to conquer the match.
Next challenge for Baker is the fourth seed, Tatsuma Ito, who rallied past the Australian qualifier, John Peers, to set-up this match. The Japanese showed tremendous defensive skills as he brushed off 11 out of 14 breakpoints he came across. He then capitalised
on three out of 13 break chances to formulate a 6-4, 1-6, 7-5 victory in almost two and half hours.
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