Matthew Ebden wins as Rajeev Ram retires in second set in opener – Legg Mason Classic 2011
The last 1st round match of the Legg Mason Classic 2011 ended up as Rajeev Ram left the hard circuit limping off. Playing against the Aussie, Matthew Ebden, for the second time, Ram got a harsh beating in the first set
before he called the match off. The match was played at the William H.G. Fitzgerald Tennis Centre in Rock Creek Park on hard court. The fixture ended with Ebden winning his 2ndround seat 6-1, 3-2.
Ram secured his spot in the first round surpassing Alexander Domijan and Wayne Odesnik in the qualifier rounds of the Legg Mason Classic. The 27-year-old local lad cleared the qualifiers in straight sets win giving him a motivational
boost. However, his luck ran out as he limped off the circuit with a strained leg.
Challenging the American was the 23-year-old Australian Matthew Ebden. The hard court specialist is ranked at world No.140 and has been in terrific form winning 7 out of his last 10 matches. The right-handed 23-year-old has his
shots on target leading his win in the fixture.
Ebden had a lethal start as he won the first set with little difficulty. The first set win over the American included 83 percent win from 1st serve and 50 percent of the second. Majority of the points that Ebden won
were return points. Out of the total 32 points, the 23-year-old Aussie secured 15 service points and 17 returners to bag the first set 6-1.
While the first set reached its ending games, the American had his doubts on his continuation. Ram pulled his left leg returning the American on his serve in the final games of the first set.
However, he continued in the second set regardless the pain he had in his leg. The set started off with the American world No.236 serving first. The set carried on for 5 games but soon ended up as Ram could not continue with his
injury.
Ebden secured 18 points in the second set with 8 service and 10 return points. In addition to the first set points, the Aussie totalled 50 points altogether in both sets until the retirement of his challenger.
With an easy win in the 1st round, Matthew Ebden will now play Nikolay Davydenko in his 2nd round match of the Legg Mason Tennis Classic 2011.
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