Grigor Dimitrov edges past Tsung-Hua Yang into the second round – Thailand Open 2012
Ranked 56th in the world, Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria came out from the jaws of loss to overcome the challenge of Taiwanese qualifier, Tsung-Hua Yang, in three sets 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(7) in the first round of the Thailand
Open in Bangkok.
Dimitrov and Yang did not allow each other to break serve in the first seven games, taking the score to 4-3 in favour of the former. The Bulgarian player struck in the eighth and held his following one to grab it 6-3.
The 21-year-old pounded five aces and committed one double fault, keeping his first serve percentage at 60. The Paris, France resident amazingly won all the 15 first delivery points but gave an average performance on the second
ones, claiming five of the 10.
In the second set, Dimitrov and Yang won their serve in the opening five games to take the score to 3-2 in favour of the latter. The Taiwanese contender hit a blow to Dimitrov in the sixth and consolidated on it to attain a 5-2
advantage. Yang maintained his lead till the end and sealed it 6-3.
The 21-year-old hit a single ace and 67 percent of the first deliveries, securing 16 of the 18 points on them. The right-hander did not face any break threat and utilised the only one he created in the second set.
Yang and Dimitrov put on a brilliant serving display in the decider, as they did not lose their serve till the end and squared off the score at 6-6, forcing a tie-breaker. The Taiwanese got off to a flying start, as he won first
three points to take a 3-0 lead. Though, Dimitrov came back in style and levelled the proceedings at 6-6. The Bulgarian managed to clinch a mini-break later on and captured it 7-6(7).
Dimitrov required two hours and 15 minutes to oust his Taiwanese opponent after a hard fought encounter.
The Bulgarian star is slated to take on the world number 14, Richard Gasquet of France, in the second round. Seeded second in the draw, Gasquet received a bye in the first round of this ATP World Tour 250 event.
Tags: