Edouard Roger-Vasselin trounces James Ward to reach the main draw – Sony Ericsson Open 2012
Qualifying top seed, Edouard Roger-Vasselin, blasted past the British contestant, James Ward, in straight sets at the Sony Ericsson Open 2012 on Tuesday. He nudged up a 6-3, 6-3 victory over the world number 162 to secure a place
in the main draw at this Masters 1000 event taking place in Miami, United States.
The French veteran showed top notch performance to dump Ward in their first encounter. After bagging this one hour and 13-minutes duel, the French assertively advanced into the main draw at this ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals)
hard court tournament taking place at Key Biscayne.
Roger-Vasselin flashed into the Tennis Center at Crandon Park and blasted slices to wind up the opening four games in a row before the British could hold on. He then maintained consistency in his game and regardless of losing his
edge in the eighth game, he broke Ward’s serve for a third time and clinched the opener with a 6-3 score line.
Ranked 89th in the South African Airways ATP World Tour Rankings, Roger-Vasselin carried his winning ways in the following set and smoothly slid entire serves after brushing off all four breakpoints he came across. He
got the breakthrough by cashing in the only break opportunity in the sixth game and sealed the set by winning six games to three.
The 28-year-old clobbered a lower first serve share of 55 per cent in contrast with the British’s 60 per cent but superbly marked 23 out of 29 points on it.
Next challenge for the highly energetic French is the Belgian challenger, Xavier Malisse, in the opening round.
The second seed, Tobias Kamke, had a different fate as he crashed out to Croatia's Antonio Veic in the final qualifying round. He sought seven break chances but converted only two to his advantage. Adding further to his misery,
the German dusted away two out of seven breakpoints he encountered, ultimately suffering a 4-6, 2-6 shock in one hour and 27 minutes.
Veic on the other hand comfortably entered the main draw where the local wild card entrant, Denis Kudla, awaits him.
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