Grega Zemlja ousts Yannick Mertens in qualifiers – US Open 2012
Qualifying sixth seed, Grega Zemlja from Slovenia, took down the Belgian challenger, Yannick Mertens, with a breadstick at the US Open 2012 on Friday. He nudged up a 6-1, 6-3 victory against the 25-year-old to power into the main draw at this last of the
four Grand Slam events held in Queens in New York City, United States.
The Slovenian contender displayed superb skills to outclass Mertens in their first encounter. After pocketing the match in one hour and seven minutes, Zemlja comfortably advanced into the first round at this major hard court event held in Flushing Meadows.
Zemlja high-spiritedly entered this USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. He unleashed flurry of groundstrokes to reel off the opening five games before Mertens could come on the score sheet. He plucked his serve once more and clinched the opener
with a breadstick. The Slovene was never challenged with any breakpoint and cashed in two out of three break opportunities to inch towards the glory.
Ranked 99th in the South African Airways ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) World Tour Rankings, Zemlja kept momentum rolling in the following set. He got the coveted break in the opening game and took the initial lead. Despite exchanging
two serve breaks after that, the Slovene got the upper hand and leaped to a 4-2 lead. After the Belgian held his serve for the first time in this set, Zemlja bagged the last two games and consequently clicked the set with a 6-3 win. He dusted away one out
of three breakpoints he came across but capitalised on four out of six break chances to pull out the victory.
The 25-year-old Slovene clobbered a slightly better first serve share of 55 per cent as opposed to his rival’s 53 per cent and tremendously marked 22 out of 28 points on it. He also hammered seven aces and sealed the match with 64 points.
Brazil’s Ricardo Mello will accompany Zemlja in the opening round. He stomped over the South African challenger, Rik De Voest, with a breadstick to progress.
Mello also winded up the opening five games before the South African could hold on. He ultimately sealed the opener with a breadstick after keeping his serve once again.
The Brazilian star carried his rhythm in the following set and smoothly held his entire serves. He failed to get the breakthrough but dominated in the tie-breaker to carve out the victory with a 7-6(5) success in an hour-long marathon.
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