Kenny de Schepper shocks Olivier Rochus in the semi-finals – Mons Challenger 2012 CH
Right-hander French challenger, Kenny de Schepper, got the better of the local contender, Olivier Rochus, at the indoor hard courts of the Ethias Trophy 2012, Belgium. He nailed down a three setter 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 in the semi-finals
match on Saturday.
The 25-year-old Frenchman stormed onto the hard courts and leaped forward to mark a 2-1 score line right away. To his surprise, the higher ranked Belgian professional got up and levelled down the score line three times without
any break. However, the French professional maintained his intensity and smartly pocketed away the last two games. He broke his challenger’s serve in the last game and consequently stole the opening set with a 6-4 lead.
The 6 ft 8 inch, Schepper bombarded his rival with nine none stop aces but double faulted four times. He had a relatively lower initial serve of 57 percent but covered the loss by securing all 17 of the first serve points bestowed
onto him. His rival attained 59 percent serve accuracy with nine of 13 points.
Ranked 110th in the South African ATP World Tour Rankings, Rochus, commenced the second set with a strong resolve to avenge the opening set loss. Initially, he struggled and squared down the score line twice to 2-all
in the fourth and 3-all in the sixth game. Nevertheless, the Belgian received a break through when he cashed Schepper’s serve in the seventh, stamping a 4-3 lead. The French junior’s morale gradually died down and Rochus notched his victory by reeling off
all the successive without facing any resistance and ultimately pulled out of the opener with a 6-4 score.
The right-hander, Rochus, secured a relatively better initial serve of 74 percent, converting 16 of 20 first and six of seven second delivery points. The French professional bombarded 11 aces and but double faulted twice. He lagged
behind because he was unable to capitalize on even one serve break.
The 25-year-old, Schepper, plucked his initial serves beautifully, sustaining his poise and clamped a 3-love lead. This completely shattered the hopes of the Belgian senior, who was unable to take benefit of his greater experience.
The French participant cashed in the single break chance and confidently dusted away all the break points he encountered, attaining a 6-3 win.
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