Julien Benneteau outlasts Marcel Granollers in the opening round – Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters 2012
In a match between two unseeded players, world number 31, Julien Benneteau of France, defeated 25th ranked, Marcel Granollers of Spain, in straight sets 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 in the first round at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters
in Monaco on Monday.
Benneteau and Granollers started by breaking each other in the opening two games of the match, evening out the score at 1-1. The Frenchman struck again in the sixth and made the most of it to clinch the opener 6-3.
The 30-year-old banged in 80 percent of the first serves, winning 14 of the 20 points on them. On the other hand, Granollers hit one ace but he had a low first serve percentage of 59, converting merely seven of the 13 of them into
points.
Benneteau further strengthened his position, as he broke the Spaniard in the opening game of the second set and consolidated on it to attain a 2-0 lead. However, Granollers bounced back to level the score at 2-2. After that, both
players broke each other to take it to 3-3. The Spaniard pressed the accelerator, playing aggressively to win three games in a row and closing it 6-3.
Both players gave an average serve performance, as Granollers delivered 63 percent of the first serves, pocketing 11 of the 20 points on them and Benneteau put in 67, grabbing five of the 14. However, the Spaniard ruled with the
help of his superior return play, as he captured nine of the 14 first and five of the seven second reply points.
Unlike the first two sets, Granollers and Benneteau made a steady start in the decider, winning their serve in the opening four games to level the score at 2-2. Though, there was no stoppage for Benneteau after that, as he did
not lose even a single one, snatching four straight games to triumph 6-2.
The Frenchman did not hit any ace and was lucky to survive three double faults in the final set. The right-hander kept his first serve percentage at 74, bagging 18 of the 23 points on them. The 6ft 1in tall put away the only break
threat he came across and availed both of the chances he received. He required two hours and nine minutes to win a tough battle.
Benneteau is slated to take on 15th seed, Jurgen Melzer of Austria, in the round of 32. The Austrian downed Lukasz Kubot in straight sets 6-2, 7-5 in the previous match.
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