Matthew Ebden bounces over Sergei Bubka in opening round – BB&T Atlanta Open 2012
Australian contender, Matthew Ebden, made an epic comeback from a set down to outsmart the Ukrainian qualifier, Sergei Bubka, with double breadsticks at the BB&T Atlanta Open 2012 on Tuesday. He summed up a 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 victory against the world number
146 to secure a place in the round of 16 at this ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) World Tour 250 series event taking place in Johns Creek, United States.
Ebden took almost one and a half hour-long venture to outsmart the qualifier in three sets. Battling each other for the first time, the Aussie assertively progressed into the second round at this outdoor hard court tournament taking place from 14th
to 22nd July.
The underdog assertively entered the Atlantic Station and plucked his opening serve to level the scores at 1-1. He drew the first blood in the seventh game and leaped to a 5-3 lead. Apart from losing his serve in the 10th game, the Ukrainian capitalised
on another break chance in the very next game and eventually carved out the victory with a 7-5 score line.
The world number 82, Ebden, found his rhythm in the second set and after getting the desiderated break in the second game, he jumped to a 3-0 lead. After Bubka held his serve in the fourth game, the Aussie reeled off the last three games and pulled out the
equaliser with a breadstick.
The 24-year-old kept his rhythm in the final set and went on a four-game killing spree before Bubka could come on the score sheet. He maintained his intensity and bagged the last two games, subsequently sealing the decider with an exceptional 6-1 score line.
Summing up Ebden’s performance, the South African-born star failed to block both breakpoints he faced but capitalised on six out of 10 break chances to steal the show. He also spilled four double faults and fired eight aces to prevail.
Next up for Ebden is the American contestant, James Blake, who stunned sixth seeded Ryan Harrison in three sets to set up this battle. Blake also clobbered a better first serve share and marked 37 out of 55 points on it to conquer his compatriot.
Tags: