Gael Monfils butchers Ryan Sweeting in second round – Legg Mason Tennis Classic 2011
Frenchman Gael Monfils defeated world No.66, Ryan Sweeting on Wednesday, 4thAug in a heated 2nd round match at the Legg Mason Tennis Classic 2011. The hard circuit was dominated by the 24-year-old world No.7
as he blistered the local lad with his powerful forehands. The William H.G. Fitzgerald Tennis Centre in Rock Creek Park was crowded up as the local fans saw their player agonize at a frustrating loss. Ending the scores at 6-3, 7-6(3) Monfils made a comfortable
seat in the 3rd round.
Playing for the first time head to head, the two tennis sensations fought hard. However, Monfils took over the match as a stronger link as he was the top seed this week at the Legg Mason Tennis Classic 2011. Ranked at the top of
his career, the Frenchman was playing his 2nd hard court fixture in last 12 matches.
On the contrary, Ryan, the local player, took a straight sets beating from the Frenchman to walk out of the circuit dejected. The 24-year-old made it to the second round beating Alexander Bogomolov Jr. in straight sets but could
not get through the impressive world No.7.
The match started off as Monfils served first opening the match. Winning the first game, Monfils switched the serve to the American world No.66 who levelled the scores to 1-1 in game 2. The scorecard rolled as both players won
on their respective serves until game 8 when Monfils broke the 6’5” to lead the scorecard 5-3. Saving a breakpoint in the last game of set 1, Monfils took the lead in the match winning the first set 6-3.
Laying down shocking serves, Monfils aced the local lad seven times in the set. Totalling 34 points, the top seed concluded the set with twenty service points and fourteen returners.
The concluder took off with Sweeting serving first and saving a breakpoint. Monfils levelled the scores in the second set and broke the world No.66 in game three to take the lead 2-1. The Frenchman increased his lead to 3-1 winning
game 4 and switched the serve to his challenger.
Ryan levelled the score when he took charge in winning game 5 and breaking the Frenchman in the next to roll the score cards to 3-3. Firing up each other with rocket returners, set went into a tiebreaker.
Monfils, without taking any chances, brought his best into play breaking the American and winning the tiebreaker. The world number seven “electrocuted” the American with ten lightening fast aces in the second set. In addition to
34 points in the first set, Monfils won 43 in the second totalling 77 points for his win.
The world No.7 will now play against the winner of the match between Flavio Cipolla and Dmitry Tursunov to win his quarter-final seat.
Tags: