Grigor Dimitrov knocks out Marsel Ilhan in opening round – Shanghai Rolex Masters 2011
Grigor Dimitrov, Bulgarian world No.72, pulverized his first round opponent of the Shanghai Rolex Masters 2011, Turkish world No.109, Marsel Ilhan in a hard hitting one hour and 44 minutes match. Battling out on blue hard circuit
at Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena, Show Court, today, Monday, 10th October, the 20-year-old staggered the lower ranked rival 2-6, 6-1, 6-4 and ran off with the 2ndround ticket.
Firing up with the first game of the set, Dimitrov served to open the match, however, was devastated in the first blow. Breaking early, Ilhan whispered away with the first win of the set, 1-0, and carried on winning the second
to lead the set 2-0.
Bulgarian finally won his first game of the set, game 3, however, could not break back to level up the scores. Extending his lead to 3-1, the Turkish bagged another game and broke the world No.72 in the next and led 4-1. Unable
to counter the lower ranker’s agility, Dimitrov lost another game as the Turkish let 5-1.
With just one game left for the world No.109 to pocket the first set, the two rallied out a game win each to end up the set at 6-2 with Ilhan taking the win.
Dimitrov, 20-year-old world No.72, struck back levelling up the scores as he overpowered the Turkish in the second set. Serving first, the Bulgarian served out the opening game and ignited as he broke Ilhan in game 2 to lead the
set 2-0.
Claiming another win, game 3, the 20-year-old continued to dominate the set. Winning his first game of the set, the Turkish 24-year-old mustered game 4, however, that the last he could win, 1-3.
Unable to break the higher ranked Bulgarian, Ilhan fell drastically as the Dimitrov stormed away winning the set with a final blow, serve-break-serve, 6-1, and levelled up the match scores at 1-1.
Moving on with the decider, Ilhan served stood to serve first, however, the Bulgarian was too much for the Turkish to handle. With the two battling out for the final win, the two collided and exploded with 3 breakpoint games out
of which Dimitrov won 2.
With scores now at 2-1, the 20-year-old served out game 4 and extended his lead further on to 3-1. Cutting down the lead, Ilhan pushed up his scores to 2-3, yet could not break back any time soon. Rallying down game wins on respective
serves, the two ended the set at 6-4 with the higher ranked 20-year-old prevailing in the end.
Winning a hard knock, Dimitrov now moves on to play the American muscle, Andy Roddick, in the 2nd round of the Shanghai Rolex Masters 2011.
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