Juan Monaco halts Michael Russell in semis of the US Men’s Clay Court Championship: Tennis Special
Fourth seed, Juan Monaco, battled past the American qualifier, Michael Russell, in a three set mouth-watering match at the US Men’s Clay Court Championship 2012 on Saturday. He joggled up a 5-7, 6-1, 6-4 victory against the local rising star to secure a
place in the final showdown at the River Oaks Country Club in Houston, United States.
The Argentinean wild card entrant lost the opening set after gifting away his serve twice. However, he made a spectacular reply and equalised the set scores with a breadstick. Monaco then kept his momentum in the final set and sealed the deal in two hours
and 25 minutes. As a result, Monaco extended his lead in the FedEx ATP Head 2 Head series by 2-0 against the world number 136.
“It wasn't easy to play. It was very windy and he played great tennis,” the jubilant Argentinean commented after the match. “It was difficult to get a rhythm. They were tough conditions, but I'm happy to win the match and be in the final.”
Russell, who stunned the American number one Mardy Fish en route to semis, convincingly entered this ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) World Tour 250 series event. He lost his serve once but cashed in both break chances to pocket the opener with
a 7-5 win.
The world number 16 made a fitting reply in the second set and swiftly swiped in his entire serves without encountering any breakpoint. He then capitalised on three out of five break opportunities and sealed the equaliser with a breadstick.
Monaco kept momentum sailing into the final set and despite losing his serve once, he grabbed the decider with a 6-4 score line. The Argentinean converted two out of four break chances to his advantage, subsequently registering a 6-4 success.
Overall, Russell clobbered a better first serve share of 66 per cent as compared to the Argentinean’s 63 per cent and availed 31 out of 59 points on it. He also broke his rival’s serve three times but could ward off only five out of 11 breakpoints he faced,
consequently exiting from the tournament at this stage.
“I'm disappointed. I played a really good first set,” the American was quoted. “I was a little tired in the second set and he kind of upped his game. In the third set, I played good and bad. He came up with some good shots. Unfortunately the last game was
tough.”
Monaco on the other hand will confront the second seed, John Isner, who overcame Feliciano Lopez in gruelling three sets to set-up this duel.
The world number 10 lost the opening set in the tie-breaker but rebounded in the second set tie-breaker, eventually equalising the set scores. He then earned the only break of the match in the final set, ultimately sealing the deal with a 6-7(5), 7-6(4),
6-3 victory in two hours and 36 minutes.
The 28-year-old Argentinean needs to remove his flaws and play his best tennis to overpower Isner, who recently stunned the world number one Novak Djokovic at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.
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