Marcel Granollers jolts Alexandr Dolgopolov in first round tussle – Valencia Open 2011
Marcel Granollers, Spanish world No.34, hammered higher ranked Ukrainian, Alexandr Dolgopolov, world No.16, as the two clashed out in the opening round of Valencia Open 2011 on Tuesday 1st of November at Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències, Valencia. Brawling out for an hour and ten minutes, Granollers drowned the 22-year-old in straight sets winning, 6-3, 6-4 and qualified for the 2nd round of the event.
Playing their third head-to-head fixture, breaking the deadlock, 1-1, Granollers took the lead winning the opening round match of Valencia Open 2011. Dolgopolov has been in poor form lately as he was knocked out of the last 3 events in first rounds.
Nevertheless, Granollers, winning the service toss, took his side to serve the first game of the match. Scoring his first win of the set, Spaniard rolled down his side of the scoreboard, 1-0, however, was followed up by a winner by the Ukrainian world No.16, Dolgopolov, 1-1
Granollers continued with his serve, winning away his second game of the match, 2-1. Returning to Dolgopolov, world No.34, Spaniard, lost the following game 4 with the scores evening out once again, 2-2. The two went on bagging games on respective serves and equalled up again at 3-3 before the tables turned.
Serving out game seven, 4-3, Spaniard broke the higher ranked 22-year-old in game 8, 5-3, to lead the set with two straight games win. With just one more game left to bank the set, Granollers served out an easy opening set winner to bag the set, 6-3, to lead the match, 1-0.
Down and struggling in the opener, Dolgopolov served first for the second set and started off with a winner, 1-0. Granollers kept his momentum up pocketing his opening serve of the second set and evened up the scores at 1-1. Winning away a game each, the two levelled up again at 2-2 before the Spaniard fired up.
Hoping to level up the match scores, Dolgopolov served to take the lead, however, was brought down hard as the Spaniard broke the Ukrainian in game five, 3-2, and served out game six to lead the second set, 4-2. With just two more game left to finish off with the match, the two went on to play the last 4 games to decide the match.
Maintaining his two games lead, Granollers served out two out of the last four games to finish off the second set winning, 6-4, and the match in straight and easy sets, disrupting the higher ranked 22-year-old.
Performing up to his best, Granollers now moves on to the second round of the ATP World Tour 500 event to play against the winner of the super first round match between Milos Raonic and Marin Cilic.
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