Janko Tipsarevic advances to pre quarters at Sony Ericsson Open
World number 44 Serb, Janko Tipsarevic dumps world number 66 German, Philipp Petzschner in straight sets to advance to the fourth round at Crandon Park in Miami on Monday.
After losing to the German in this tournament last year, Tipsarevic re-formed this time and overpowered Petzschner by 6-3, 6-3 win. He has now levelled the scores in their head to head series by 1-1.
The 26-year-old Tipsarevic is in good shape this season having secured a semi-final berth at Chennai and reaching the final at Delray Beach before losing to Juan Martin Del Potro. The Serb displayed his tremendous skills at this
tournament. He overpowered Dutch Robin Haase and Croat Marin Cilic in the first two rounds in straight sets.
He played top tennis in the opening set and held his serves spectacularly on Court Two. Tipsarevic got the coveted break early on in the fifth game and then clinched the set with a 6-3 win over the German after breaking his serve
again in the ninth game. He is 22 ranks above the Petzschner and it clearly showed in the match. Furthermore, Tipsarevic earned a perfect win on his slightly lower first serve share of 50 per cent as compared to German’s 53 per cent and he conceded zero breakpoint.
The Serb stayed on track in the second set as he held his serve in the first game. His rage mode continued in the second game where he found two breakpoint opportunities and converted one to his advantage to take the lead to 2-0.
However, he takes his foot of the gas and lost his serve in the very next game. After this he held his remaining serves through his stunning forehands to both baseline corners and finally converted another breakpoint opportunity to his advantage in the eight
game to extend the lead by 5-3. He eventually clinched the set with a 6-3 win after keeping his serve in the proceeding game.
The 27-year-old German had a similar first serve percentage of 58 per cent and smashed eight aces. He also earned an acceptable 69 per cent win on his first serve but he couldn’t clinch as he only saved three out of seven breakpoints
he conceded.
The Serb will next face 25th seeded French Gilles Simon who bounced back at Uruguayan Panlo Cuevas with a breadstick to reach this spot. He registered a 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 win over the Uruguayan by converting four out of
nine breakpoint opportunities to his advantage.
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