Marinko Matosevic decimates Richard Berankis in three sets in opener – Legg Mason Classic 2011
Despite the disparity in rankings, Marinko Matosevic brought down the Lithuanian tennis star Richard Berankis, world no.112, in a three set boiler 7-6(3),3-6, 6-1 to win his way into the second round of the Legg Mason Tennis Classic
2011. The two players clashed at the William H.G. Fitzgerald Tennis Centre in Rock Creek Park on hard circuit with an electrifying crowd at their respective support.
Matosevic destroyed the Lithuanian and won their second head-to-head fixture. Previously the two came up against each other at the Melbourne Australian Open where Berankis took out the local lad winning three of five sets.
The 25-year-old Aussie, ranked at world No.152, reached his career high rank of world No. 131 earlier this year. The Bosnian born Australian performed remarkably well in his last 10 fixtures. Winning 7 out those, Matosevic continued
his winning streak breaking the Lithuanian youngster in the 1st round of the Legg Mason Classic.
Starting off with the match, Berankis opened up serving first and rolling the scorecards. The set fired up as it got locked down in a tiebreak. Marinko double faulted five times losing crucial points to the Lithuanian. On the contrary,
Berankis served five blazers to clinch the tiebreak.
The 25-year-old Aussie subjugated the set winning 37 points altogether. Out of the 37, 20 were service points and 17 were returners. Marinko took the lead in the match winning the set 7-6(3) and on to the next.
Berankis came back up in the second set to level the match scores to 1-1 as he took the set beating Marinko Matosevic 6-3. Ranked at world no.112, the Lithuanian smashed 8 blistering aces capturing crucial points.
The 21-year-old perfected his performance as he saved 7 out of 7 breakpoints together with 82 percent win on 1st serves. Breaking the nerves of the Aussie, Berankis stormed the second set and took the match into the
decider set.
The 3rd set was bad luck for the Lithuanian. Thrashing a 6-1 win over the 21-year-old in the 3rd set, Matosevic proved to be dangerous for the world no.112 as he did not let Berankis break him at any point
of the set. His 1st serve wins were at an incredible 100 percent. This certainly explained the severe beating the Aussie delivered to the Lithuanian youngster.
In addition to the 37 in the first, 32 in the second, Matosevic secured 30 points in the decider totalling 99 points to take away the match 7-6(3), 3-6 and 6-1.
Sitting in the 2nd round, the Aussie will now face the mighty Spaniard Fernando Verdasco in a 3 setter to the 3rd round.
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