Janko Tipsarevic wards off an early scare to conquer James Duckworth – Australian Open 2012
Ninth seed, Janko Tipsarevic, bounced over the crowd favourite, James Duckworth, in a four setter mouth watering match at the Australian Open 2012 on Thursday. He registered a 3-6, 6-2, 7-6(5), 6-4 victory over the 19-year-old Aussie to book a spot in the round of 32 at this first Grand Slam event of the season.
Tipsarevic sought his rhythm after the opening set and pulled out the victory in three hours and eleven minutes against the local star, Duckworth. The Aussie on the other hand started well, as he fired exquisite forehands from his box of tricks but then faded away.
Regardless of facing a top-tenner, Australian Ace boldly entered the Margaret Court Arena and drew the first blood in the second game. Later, the Aussie held remaining serves until he broke Tipsarevic’s serve again in the sixth game and went 5-1 up. In spite of losing his serve in the very next game, Duckworth held his serve once more and sealed the opener with a 6-3 success.
Serbian number two showed his potential in the second set earned the break of serve in the fourth game to eventually go 4-1 up. He convincingly held his entire serves and broke the Aussie’s serve again in the last game to bag the set with a 6-2 win.
Ranked ninth in the South African Airways ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) World Rankings, Tipsarevic kept momentum rolling into the third set. He earned the critical break in the eighth game and prevailed at 5-3. However, the Serb lost his edge in the very next game and dragged the set to a tie-breaker. He subjugated in it and clinched the set with a 7-6(5) score line.
Tipsarevic entered the last set with same positive energy and after capitalising on one out of four break chances in the fifth game, he swiped in the set with a 6-4 score line. He faced no obstacle in keeping his serves and hammered 10 winners to triumph.
The Serb will square off against the winner of the match between 17th seed, Richard Gasquet, and Kazak qualifier, Andrey Golubev, in the third round.
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