Kevin Anderson beats Olivier Rochus in the first round of Mutua Madrid Open
South African Kevin Anderson, ranked 35th in the world, scored an easy victory against world number 74 Olivier Rochus of Belgium, defeating him in straight sets 6-2, 6-4 in the opening round of the Mutua Madrid Open
at the La Caja Mágica in Madrid on Tuesday. Anderson needed just an hour and 12 minutes to oust his opponent in a one-sided contest.
The South African broke Rochus in the first and third game of the first set, racing to a 4-0 lead. Anderson consolidated on the double break of serve, winning the opening set 6-2.
The 35-year-old served well as he fired five aces. The South African converted both break points he faced in the first set.
In the second set, Anderson and Rochus exchanged a break of serve in the first six games to tie the score at 3-3. The South African broke his opponent in the ninth game and held his next service game to grab the set 6-4.
The right-handed’s serve was almost unplayable as he delivered seven aces and 76 percent of the first serves, winning 84 percent of the points on them. Anderson capitalized on both break point opportunities he created in the second
set. Whereas, Rochus could win one of the two break points he received in the second set.
This is Anderson’s second appearance at the Mutua Madrid Open. The six feet eight inches tall qualified for the main draw, beating Ivan Navarro of Spain in straight sets 6-3, 6-4 in the final qualifier last year. However, the South
African could not go past first round as he lost to Austrian Jurgen Melzer in three sets 2-6, 6-2, 4-6.
On the other hand, Rochus was featuring here for the fifth time in his career. The Belgian turned pro in 1999 and attained his highest ranking of 24 in 2005. Rochus reached the pre-quarterfinals at the Mutua Madrid Open that year,
losing to Croatian Ivan Ljubicic in straight sets 4-6, 4-6.
Anderson will play world number 2 Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the second round.
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