Karim Abdel Gawad ousts Fabien Verseille in 1st round – London Open 2011
Fourth seeded Egyptian Karim Abdel Gawad conquered French qualifier Fabien Verseille in the first round of the Coronation London Open 2011.
The PSA World Tour Challenger is in its fourth year and the two players had clashed against each other at the Cumberland Lawn Tennis Club in London, Great Britain. The fourth seeded Egyptian thrashed the French qualifier in forty two minutes to score
in straight sets of 11-7, 11-9, and 11-5.
The fourth seeded Egyptian had opted to serve first and he fumbled in the very beginning but quickly regained control over the opening round. Mean while, the French qualifier benefitted from the situation and took a mini lead in the initial half of
the opening round. As the two then kept matching a blow for a blow the score progressed in even terms. However, the fourth seeded Egyptian quickly overcame his opponent.
Nonetheless, the French qualifier’s shot was far from the sidewall but the fourth seeded returned with the Cross-court volley to front corner nick and left his opponent helpless. The fourth seeded Egyptian ultimately clogged the opening round.
During the second set the French qualifier picked up his service game and he not only had a wonderful service game but also a good return and the two once more matched an eye for an eye. This time the score had tied at nine points each but it was a
lucky break for the fourth seeded Egyptian as he reeled off two successive games and secured the second set as well. He was now left with only one set to conquer and he would be able to move into the next round.
Opening the third and the final set was Gawad and this time he had taken the lead and maintained his superb form throughout the set. Mean while, the French qualifier was once again unable to perform and plummeted further. The Egyptian, who was also
the fourth seed, managed to quickly break his opponent and capitalized from the breakpoints in doing so; he managed to clog the set and the match.
Next up for the fourth seeded Egyptian was English qualifier Eddie Charlton in the quarterfinal of the tournament.
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