Matthew Ebden steps over Florent Serra in first round qualifier – Shanghai Masters 2011
Matthew Ebden, Australian world No.137, went on to dismantle the French world No.144, Florent Serra in the first round qualifier of the Shanghai Masters 2011 today, Saturday, 8th October. Playing at the Qizhong Forest
Sports City Arena hard court, Ebden battered out his challenger in straight sets winning, 6-4, 6-2, in an hour and 4 minutes to make it into the 2nd stage of the qualifier round.
Comparatively, Ebden had a higher ranked to the Frenchman and also has been up on hard courts longer than the 30-year-old. Also adding to that is the age. The 23-year-old Australian had a charged up last event, the Rakuten Open
2011, however, could not make it far enough at the ATP Tour 500 event.
Walking down the blue hard court and serving out the first set, Serra rolled down his side of the score, 1-0, saving a near breakpoint. Levelling up instantly, Ebden swirled away winning game 2, 1-1. Breaking early, Ebden rushed
up the scoreboard to 2-1, however, could not gain advantage and lost the next game, breakpoint, and levelled up 2-2.
Rallying out a game each, Ebden struck again breaking the world No.144 in game 7 and served out game 8 to lead the set five games to three. With just 1 game left for the Australian to pocket the set, Serra served out game 9 followed
by the world No.137 serving out his wining game, 6-4, to lead the match 1-0.
Moving on with set 2, Serra served again and once again nearly gave away a breakpoint, 1-0. With Ebden levelling up next, game 2, 1-1, Serra served out again yet could not lead for long as the scores levelled up again at 2-2 with
Ebden serving out game 4.
Breaking the world No.144 for the first time in set 2, Aussie hammered the Frenchman winning next, game 6 to lead the set 4-2. Unable to breach the Australian rock solid defence, Serra once could fell short of returning perfectly
and gave away the game, 2-5.
Finally, Ebden mumbled away winning game 8 of the second set, 6-2, winning his second consecutive set and the match, 2-0, to make his way into the 2nd stage of the Shanghai Master qualifiers.
Through into the 2nd round qualifiers, the Aussie will now play the qualifying second seeded German, Philipp Petzschner to battle it out for a main draw seat in the ATP Masters Tour 1000 event.
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