Brian Baker plonks Jan Hajek in opening round – US Open 2012
Local contender, Brian Baker, eased past the Czech star, Jan Hajek, in straight sets at the US Open 2012 on Wednesday. He juggled up a 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 victory against the Czech veteran to reach the second round at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis
Center in Queens, New York City.
Returning at the Flushing Meadows after seven years, Baker made a winning comeback in his opening match against the 29-year-old. He needed one hour and 56 minutes to steal the limelight and advance into the round of 64 at this last of the four Grand Slam
events taking place from 27th August to 9th September.
"I had some nerves," confessed Baker in a post match press conference. "I don't think it was probably the prettiest match ever. A win is a win. I felt like when I needed to, I played well. I didn't get broken and was probably pretty high percentage on my
conversion rate. That was the difference today. It's just been a blast this last year, and I hope I keep it going for several more."
The 27-year-old stepped into Court number 11 with self-assurance. He quickly reeled off his entire serves without facing any trouble. Baker capitalised on one out of four break chances in the sixth game to get the breakthrough and pocket the set with a 6-3
win.
Standing at his career high rank at number 70 in the South African Airways ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) World Tour Rankings, Baker kept momentum floating in the proceeding set. He got the coveted break in the third game and leaped to a 3-1 lead.
The American held his remaining serves after blocking both breakpoints he faced and eventually sealed the set by winning six games to four. He converted the lone break chance which made the difference.
Baker went out of control in the third set as he unleashed flurry of massive forehands to wind up the opening four games. The American swiped his serves after dusting away all four breakpoints he came across and ultimately clinched the set with a 6-2 score
line.
Next challenge for Baker is the eighth seed, Janko Tipsarevic, who hit back to outrun the French wild card entrant, Guillaume Rufin, in a five-set thriller to set up this battle. The Serbian number two stayed focused throughout the battle and eventually
carved out the victory with a 4-6, 3-6, 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 score line.
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