Gilles Muller plonks Matthew Ebden in quarters – BB&T Atlanta Open 2012
Luxembourgian star, Gilles Muller, eased past the Australian competitor, Matthew Ebden, in straight sets at the BB&T Atlanta Open 2012 on Friday. He clobbered a 6-4, 6-4 victory against the world number 82 to book a spot in the final four at the Atlantic Station in Georgia, United States.
The Luxembourgian contender required a single break of serve in each set to outmuscle Ebden in their first battle against each other. After pulling out the victory in one hour and 12 minutes, Muller convincingly charged into the semi-finals at this ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) World Tour 250 series event taking place from 14th to 22nd July in Johns Creek.
Muller stepped on hard courts at the Atlantic Station with poise and after Ebden held his serve in the opening game, the Luxembourgian wiped out the following three games in a row. He then maintained consistency in his game swiped his remaining serves without facing any barrier. Muller converted one out of three break chances to his advantage, eventually sealing the opener by winning six games to four.
63rd ranked Muller kept momentum sailing in the follow-up set and earned the critical break in the opening game to take the initial lead. He then plucked his entire serves without facing any trouble and clinched the set with a 6-4 score line.
Overall, the Luxembourgian clobbered a lower first serve share of 65 per cent as opposed to his rival’s 78 per cent but superbly marked 32 out of 35 points on it. He spilled four double faults but covered it up by firing 12 vicious aces.
Muller will next confront eighth seeded Go Soeda who stunned his top compatriot, Kei Nishikori, with a breadstick to set up this battle. The lower ranked Japanese cashed in all four break chacnes to formulate a 6-2, 6-1 success against the Asian top.
The former world number one, Andy Roddick, also earned the spotlight later that day. He required a single break of serve to formulate a 6-3, 6-4 victory for the third straight time against Michael Russell. The American icon fired 12 aces and produced a better first serve share of 73 per cent as compared to his rival’s 59 per cent.
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