Edouard Roger-Vasselin breaks down Denis Matsukevitch in second round – St. Remy Challenger 2011
Reaching the quarter- final of the Fergana Challenger earlier this year, Denis Matsukevitch entered the St. Remy Challenger 2011 hoping to redo his performance in Uzbekistan. However, his rival in the 2nd round match,
Edouard Roger- Vasselin had already locked his sights at the quarterfinal seat. It took the Frenchman less than an hour to finish off with the match 6-4, 6-4 and onto the next round.
Playing for the first time against Matsukevitch, Vasselin had a greater advantage as he was playing on his favourite circuit. Aged 27, Vasselin was kicked out of the US Open 2011 to land in France. Playing his first match against
Josseline Ouanna, the French made a strong impact winning in easy sets.
Even though the Russian had a better last season run, he still could not pull off a win. Adding to his disadvantage, the Russian was ranked world No.237 earlier this year. Dropping back because of his poor form, he is currently
ranked at world No. 257.
Starting off with the match, Matsukevitch fell short as Vasselin broke early in the first set. However, the Russian broke back to level the scores and served next. The two leveled up again at 2-2 before Vasselin broke to take the
lead, 3-2. The Frenchman took out game 6, before he broke the Russian for the third time in the first set to lead 5-2.
Matsukevitch did pull back 2 games including a breakpoint, however, Vasselin needed just one game win to take the lead in the match. The 27-year-old pulled off game 10 with a strong forehand and concluded the set 6-4.
Moving on with the second set, Matsukevitch tried his luck for the second time but did not work then even. Breaking the Russian in game 1 of the second set, Vasselin took the lead winning the following game as well to lead 2-0.
Cutting down the lead to 2-1, the 27-year-old former world No.237 won his first game of the second set.
With the served switched, Vasselin stood out to serve next. With a startling performance and scores at 2-1, the young 27-year-old mustered the well experienced Russian on his serves winning the second set 6-4, and the match 6-4,
6-4.
Applauding his marvellous victory the spectators gave the Frenchman a standing ovation as he made his way to the locker room and into the 3rd round of the St. Remy Challenger 2011 where he would play Laurynas Grigelis
in a 3 setter match to the quarter-finals.
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