Kei Nishikori ousts Albert Ramos in the opening round – Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters 2012
Seeded 12th in this event, Kei Nishikori, dumped the Spanish contender, Albert Ramos, in straight sets at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters 2012 on Tuesday. He joggled up a 6-2, 7-5 victory against Barcelona native to charge into the second round
at this clay court event taking place in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin in Monte Carlo, Monaco.
The Japanese number one pleased the Monaco crowd after earning a sensational victory against Ramos in their first meeting. He got the better of the world number 42 after converting five out of 17 break opportunities to his advantage at this ATP (Association
of Tennis Professionals) World Tour Masters 1000 event.
The 22-year-old blasted into the Monte Carlo Country Club and wiped out the opening four games successively before Ramos could hold on. He then held his remaining serves and pocketed the opener by winning six games to two.
Ranked 17th in the South African Airways ATP World Tour Rankings, Nishikori lost his track in the proceeding set and suffered the first blow in the second game to trail at 0-2. Despite breaking his rival’s serve twice and going 4-2 up, the Japanese
lost his serve again in the eighth game and tie the scores at 4-4. However, he remained focused in the match and carved out another break opportunity in the eleventh game, ultimately pulling out the set with a 7-5 score line.
Next up for Nishikori is the former world number 12, Paul-Henri Mathieu, who devastated the American star, Donald Young, with a bagel to set-up this clash. The Frenchman was continuing his comeback this year after suffering a knee injury in the end of 2010.
The Swiss number two, Stanislas Wawrinka, also earned the spotlight later that day. He upset the 10th seed, Feliciano Lopez, with a breadstick at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Master 2012 on Tuesday.
The 27-year-old smacked 14 vicious aces to outrun the left-handed Spaniard with a 6-1, 6-4 success in their third meeting. After earning the spotlight at this 68-minute battle, Wawrinka not only avenged his loss at the Madrid Masters event four years ago
but also took lead in head-to-head series by 2-1 against the Spaniard.
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