Grigor Dimitrov defeats Rainer Schuettler; advances at
US Men’s Clay Court Championship
8th seeded Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov destroyed German Rainer Schuettler with a bagel on Monday. He registered a 6-0, 6-2 win over the German to advance into the second round at the 2011 US Men’s Clay Court Championship
in Houston.
Dimitrov, currently at his career high rank at 70, trashed the German in straight sets on their first meeting at River Oaks Country Club to end his five games losing streak on tour level. Although he recently won Cherbourg Challenger
after triumphing over 2nd seeded French Nicolas Mahut, the 19-year-old was ousted from the first rounds at Miami, Dubai, Marseille and Rotterdam. He qualified for the main draw at the Australian Open earlier this season as well and entered this
tournament well prepared.
The Bulgarian performed superbly in the opening set as he reeled off six games in a row through his spectacular skills and fascinating forehands. He broke the former world number five’s serve three times and had an exceptional
perfect winning record on his higher first serve share.
Dimitrov entered the second set with same passion and heat as he just conceded two games and won the set with a 6-2 score line. He improved himself in this final set as committed zero double fault, saved four out of five breakpoints
and converted three out of eight breakpoint opportunities to his advantage. The Bulgarian also produced a much better first serve share of 61 percent as compared to German’s 41 percent and registered an impressive 76 percent win on it.
“I had a very good start. I was able to break him down pretty early,” said the seeded Dimitrov who ended the 34-year-old’s reign in Houston in just 64 minutes. “It was just a matter of time. I’m going to develop my game in a better
way,” he added.
Schuettler played poorly in the match as he committed seven double faults. He also had a poor first serve share, saved 54 percent of breakpoints only and held his serve once in the match. Currently ranked 87th in the
world, the German couldn’t win a single game in the opening set and just converted one out of five breakpoint opportunities in the second set.
Dimitrov will next face either Russian Teymuraz Gabashvili or Chilean Qualifier Paul Capdeville.
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