Evgeny Korolev slays Richard Muzaev to enter main draw – Kremlin Cup 2012
Kazakhstani starlet, Evgeny Korolev, devastated the local wild card entrant, Richard Muzaev, with a bagel at the Kremlin Cup 2012 on Monday. He jolted down a 6-0, 6-1 victory against the world number 622 to secure a place in the main draw at this ATP (Association
of Tennis professionals) World Tour 250 Series event held in Moscow, Russia.
The Russian-born Korolev went on an 11-game killing spree before pulling out the victory in 44 minutes. After registering this success, Korolev comfortably charged into the opening round at this indoor hard court event which is held from 13th
to 21st October.
Korolev thundered into the Olympic Stadium. He blasted massive forehands to reel off six games in a row. The Kazakh was never challenged with any hindrance and cashed half of the six break opportunities to seal the opener with a bagel.
Ranked 248th in the South African Airways ATP World Tour Rankings, Korolev maintained his intensity and stroke out the opening five games before the Russian could come on the score sheet. He plucked his serve once again and clinched the set with
a breadstick. The Kazakh swiped his entire serves without facing any hindrance and converted two out of three break chances to his advantage.
Summing up the 24-year-old’s performance, Korolev struck eight aces and produced a better first serve share of 56 per cent as opposed to his rival’s 54 per cent. He also spectacularly clinched 18 out of 19 points on it and coughed fewer double faults to
prevail. The Kazakh finished the match with 51 points and ruled throughout the battle.
Korolev will square off against his fellow qualifier, Konstantin Kravchuk from Russia. The 27-year-old Russian stunned qualifying second seed, Israel’s Dudi Sela, in a three-set thriller to progress.
Kravchuk lost his serve once but broke his rival’s serve three times, eventually pulling out the opener with a 6-3 score line.
He lost his track in the following set after losing his serve once. However, the local veteran stayed focused in the deciding set and with a single break of serve, Kravchuk stole the show and reach the first round.
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