Gilles Simon overcomes Ryan Harrison in the fourth round – BNP Paribas Open 2012
Seeded at number 13 in the tournament, Gilles Simon, rallied to beat the world number 72, Ryan Harrison, in three sets 7-6(0), 5-7, 6-1 in the round of 16 at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, USA on Wednesday.
Simon snatched a break in the first set and took the score to 5-4 but failed to serve it out in the 10th game, levelling the score at 5-5. The set was taken to a tie-breaker, where Simon did not lose even a single points
and sealed it 7-6(0).
The Frenchman was unable to deliver any ace and committed two double faults. On the other hand, Harrison fired four aces and one double fault.
In the second set, Simon served for the match at 5-2 and then at 5-4 but the Frenchman failed to convert any of the three sets points he received. Harrison made a stunning effort, as he bagged five games in a row, breaking Simon
three times and clinching it 7-5.
The American returned impressively in the second set, winning 10 of the 24 first and nine of the 17 second replies. The right-hander succeeded in saving five of the seven break points he faced and capitalised on three of the four
chances he received.
Simon did not get disappointed and made a strong start in the decider, snatching a 3-0 lead. The Frenchman did not throw away the advantage this time, as he allowed Harrison to win only one game until the end, claiming it 6-1.
The 27-year-old responded aggressively to his opponent’s second serves, bagging nine of the 12 points on them. The match lasted for two hour and 52 minutes.
Simon commented, after the match, “Those two games were very important, because I lost the second set, which I thought I had to win. It was tough for me on the court, as he had a good tactic and it was hard for me to win a single
game. I knew I had to hold serve, because I believed if I could get it to two hours and 30 minutes on court.”
Predicting his next match, Simon said, “I think it's going to be very difficult. Last time at the US Open, I had some opportunities. It's a match where I should have been better. I know it will be difficult to be in the same position,
but I hope that this time, if I am, I will finish it.”
The French is slated to face 11th seed, John Isner of USA, in the quarterfinals.
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