Kei Nishikori ousts Paul-Henri Mathieu to reach round three – Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters 2012
Seeded 12th in this tournament, Kei Nishikori got the better of the French veteran, Paul-Henri Mathieu, in straight sets at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters 2012 on Wednesday. He manipulated a 6-4, 6-2 victory against the former world number 12 to
secure a place in the round of 16 at this clay court event which is part of the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) World Tour Masters 1000 event held in Monaco.
The Japanese number one dominated throughout the match to carve out the victory in one and a half hour-long duel. After overpowering the French, Nishikori not only avenged his loss at the Brisbane International three years ago but also levelled the FedEx
ATP Head 2 Head series by 1-1 against the 30-year-old.
17th ranked Nishikori assertively entered the Monte Carlo Country Club and held his opening serve to tie the scores at 1-1. He maintained consistency in his game and swiped in his remaining serves after warding off all four breakpoints he faced.
The Japanese got the breakthrough in the seventh game and sealed the opener by winning six games to four.
The 22-year-old went out of control in the proceeding set and stroke out the opening four games successively before Mathieu could hold on. Despite losing their serve in the sixth game, the Japanese cashed in another break opportunity in the very next game
and pulled out the set with a 6-2 score line.
Summing up the Japanese performance, Nishikori coughed six double faults and produced a slightly lower first serve share 56 per cent as compared to the French’s 58 per cent. However, he tremendously clicked 26 out of 33 points on it and converted four out
of five break chances to his advantage.
Next challenge for the Nishikori is the sixth seed, Tomas Berdych, who crippled the Croatian star, Marin Cilic, with a breadstick to set-up this meeting.
Second seeded, Rafael Nadal, also stole the show later that day. He got the better of Finland’s Jarkko Nieminen in almost one and a half hour. The Spanish number one lost his serve once but capitalised on four out of seven break chances to earn the limelight.
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