Chris Guccione beats Jesse Witten to move into main draw – Legg Mason Tennis Classic 2011
Chris Guccione scored his 4th win against Jesse Witten in the final qualifier round of the Legg Mason Tennis Classic beating the home player 4-6, 6-4, 6-1. The match was played at the William H.G. Fitzgerald Tennis Centre
in Rock Creek Park. Playing on hard circuit for the 4th time, the Aussie, Chris, bounced back from a set down to secure a spot in the main draws.
Chris, standing at a massive 6’7”, ranks at world No.225. The left hander is super strong at playing forehands and double handed backhands. The Aussie started off in 2003 reaching a career high of world No.67.
On the contrary, Witten ranks at world No.292. The American has not been performing at his best lately. Pinned down after being 1 set up, the American lost his way to the main draws.
The match kicked off with Witten serving first and opening the game. Breaking the American in the first set Chris led the scores 1-0. However, the Aussie went down in the second game as the American levelled the scores winning
his first breakpoint of the match.
The scores rose up as both players then won games on their respective serves. At 5-4, the Aussie gave away the second breakpoint loosing the set 4-6 and went down 0-1 in the match.
Witten started off with the second set opener and rolled the scorecard 1-0 followed by the Aussie levelling the scores once again. The twister came in game 7 of the second set when Witten was broken by the Aussie. 4-3 up in the
second set, world no. 224 won two out of the next three games winning the set 6-4. The scores were now level at 1-1.
For the third time in the game, the American served first for the set opener. Struggling to win the decider Witten ran like a wild stallion and took the lead winning the first game 1-0. However the gigantic Aussie opposed every
move levelling the scores once again to 1-1.
Chris suddenly went marvellous when he thrashed the home player in the next five games breaking him three times; securing a sensational 6-1 win in the set,
Totalling 93 points against 86 of Witten, the Aussie won 55 service points and 38 returners. This also included 7 aces 5 breakpoint wins and a 70 percent of 1stserve winners.
The pounding was mindboggling. Chris made a remarkable comeback to make his way to the main draws of the Legg Mason Tennis Classic. Never the less, the fight was worth a watch. Chris now sits in the main draws to play his first
round match against the sensational Alejandro Falla in a 3 set match to the next round.
Tags: