Marinko Matosevic ousts Michael Russell to reach semis – Farmers Classic 2012
Sixth seeded Marinko Matosevic tumbled the American veteran, Michael Russell, in straight sets at the Farmers Classic 2012 on Friday. He nudged up a 6-2, 6-3 victory against the 34-year-old to power into the final four at this Emirates Airline US Open Series
event taking place in UCLA campus in Los Angeles.
The Bosnia and Herzegovina-born Matosevic showed his class at the Los Angeles Tennis Center, eventually carving out the victory in one and a half hour-long venture. Battling each other for the first time, Matosevic not only edged in the FedEx ATP (Association
of Tennis Professionals) Head 2 Head series by 1-0 against the world number 83 but also secured a place in the semi-finals.
Matosevic enthusiastically entered this ATP World Tour 250 series event. He drew the first blood in the second game and jumped to a 3-0 lead. The Aussie held his remaining serves with self-assurance and cashed in another break chance in the last game, eventually
sealing the deal with a 6-2 win.
Ranked 81st in the South African Airways ATP World Tour Rankings, Matosevic carried his rhythm in the following set. He earned the coveted break in the fourth game and took a 3-1 lead. Despite losing his serve in the very next game, the Aussie
wiped out the last three games and clicked the set with a 6-3 success.
All in all, the Aussie sought 10 break chances and superbly warded off eight out of nine breakpoints he came across. He produced a slightly lower first serve share of 65 per cent as opposed to his rival’s 66 per cent and impressively marked 30 out of 44
points on it.
Matosevic will square off against the Lithuanian qualifier, Ricardas Berankis, who stunned fourth seeded Nicolas Mahut in straight sets to set up this encounter.
The second seed, Sam Querrey, will accompany the Aussie in the semis. He recorded a 6-2, 3-1 retirement victory against the fifth seed, Xavier Malisse to progress. The American seed capitalised on three out of four break chances and was leading throughout
the match when his opponent was forced to retire due to a right knee injury.
Tags: