Donald Young makes quick work of qualifier Artem Sitak – Legg Mason Tennis Classic 2011
New Zealand’s Artem Sitak’s maiden fleeting appearance at the main draws of an ATP tour event was short lived. American youngster Donald Young made a flamboyant entrance at the Legg Mason Tennis Classic by ousting the qualifier
Sitak 6-0, 6-3 in an effortlessly conceived two set victory on Monday. Young, who now proceeds to the second round, was unmatched in all the facets of the one hour long match. The Washington tournament has earned a desirable reputation as a premiere hard-court
tune up for the U.S. Open.
Young effectively ended a three match losing streak by winning Monday’s match. The 22 year old player entered the tournament with a 6-10 win loss mark, having earlier suffered a humiliating first round loss at his home event in
Atlanta to Michael Russell. Last year at Washington, the American had failed to move past the second round of the qualifiers of the tournament.
The Kiwi Sitak, a regular member of New Zealand’s Davis Cup team is currently ranked at No. 387. He came in with a season’s 2-1 win loss standing on the ATP tour, which gives away his inactivity on the circuit. Sitak however has
been a regular on the challenger circuit and has raked in pretty impressive results there. Monday’s match was the player’s debut at the main draws of an ATP event; this year he has participated in the qualifying rounds at Los Angeles, San Jose and Auckland.
This match had been the players’ first meeting.
The first set saw both the players’ bag one ace each; however Young had little trouble getting past his opponent who was serving at a dismal 50%. Young served at 67% and won a spectacular 100% first serve points on them. Sitak
gave away 6 breakpoint opportunities to his opponent, who capitalised on 3 of them. Young however didn’t even once face a serve break scenario. The American sealed the first set at 6-0 without even breaking a sweat.
The second set followed precedent and closed 6-3 Young’s account. Young served brilliantly at 70% while the struggling Kiwi could only manage a measly 32% efficiency. Sitak once again failed miserably at setting up even a single
break of serve situation for his opponent.
Next up for the buoyant Young is a tough second round match. He faces fourth seed Jurgen Melzer, who had earlier received a bye to the second round of the Legg Mason Tennis Classic.
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