Donald Young starts strong; beats Michael Berrer in 1st round – Winston-Salem Open 2011
Counting another win, Donald Young, World No.85, surpassed his 1st round challenger, Michael Berrer, at the Winston-Salem Open 2011, beating him in straight sets 6-3, 6-4. Battling out on the hard courts of Wake Forest
University in Winston, USA the 22-year-old local lad outlasted the German world No.84 in less than 70 minutes to take his seat in the 2nd round.
Formerly a ‘Ball Boy’, Young was discovered by John McEnroe. The 22-year-old had the honour to play the legend and made a lasting impact. “Young has hands like another lefty I know very well." said McEnroe.
The American made his way to the Winston Open after getting knocked out from the Cincinnati Open qualifiers. However, the African-American made a great impact at the Legg Mason Open reaching the semi-final round for the first
time.
On the other hand, Berrer has been losing his ranking significantly. Out of the past 10 fixtures he played, the 31-year-old has lost 8 matches. Although a hard court player, the German was outgunned by the enchanting American in
no time.
Starting off with the 1st rounder, the German stood to play Young in the opening game. The 31-year-old served to level the scores in game 2 finishing off with a strong backhand. The scores mounted up until game 6 of
the first set.
Breaking the German for the first time, Young dominated with vicious forehands and tops spins to out run his challenger and winning, 4-2. Young continued to lead as he mumbled passed the next game and finished off with the set
in game 9 winning 6-3.
Taking hold of the old German in the first set, Young swirled through the second set as well. Breaking the German in the opening game of the second set, the 22-year-old went on leading. However, the 31-year-old struck back for
the first time breaking the American youngster and levelling the scores, 1-1.
Returning each other equally strong, the two levelled up at 2-2 and then on 3-3 before the world No.85 went sensational. Breaking his challenger in game 7, Young took charge to lead the second set with a win in the next game as
well. Berrer struck off game 9 but could not stop the American from winning the 10thgame, set and the match.
Earning his win in the 1st round of Winston Open, the American seems stronger and much more sensible in playing at the hard court. With his racquet welded to his hands, Young sits in the 2nd round of the ATP
Tour 250 event to play Grigor Dimitrov.
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