Michael Berrer, Mischa Zverev qualify for the second round: 2011 BNP Paribas Open
Michael Berrer defeats Bjorn Phau in first round
Germany's Michael Berrer defeated compatriot and world number 106, Bjorn Phau in three sets 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in the opening round of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells on Thursday. It took the 30-year-old just over two hours to seal the victory.
Berrer needed just a single break of serve in the first set, winning it 6-4. He hit 69 percent of his first serves in the opening set, winning 78 percent of the points on them. Bjorn Phau hit the same number of first serves however, his conversion rate was
lower, as he won 67 percent of the points on his first serves.
After losing the opening set, Phau fought back in the second set and broke his opponent in the seventh game. He capitalised on the single break of serve, winning the second set 6-4. The 31-year-old did not face a single break point in the set. On the other
hand, he converted 1 of the 5 break points he got in the second set.
The two players exchanged a break of serve early in the deciding set to level the score at 3-3. Berrer then broke Phau in the ninth game and held his next service game to win the set 6-4.
Phau saved just one of the 3 break points he faced in the third set. Whereas, Berrer could not save the only break point he faced in the final set.
Berrer is slated to meet World number 4 Robin Soderling of Sweden in the second round.
Mischa Zverev beats Matthew Ebden in straight sets
German Mischa Zverev prevailed over Australian Matthew Ebden in straight sets 6-4, 6-3 to move into the second round of the BNP Paribas Open on Thursday.
The German broke his opponent once in the opening set, winning it 6-4. He hit 75 percent of his first serves in the first set, winning a whopping 94 percent of the points on them. He also converted one of the 4 break points he got in the first set. On the
other hand, his opponent did not receive a single break point.
In the second set, Zverev broke the Australian in the fifth game. Serving to stay in the second set at 3-5, Ebden could not hold his service game and ended up losing the set 3-6. The German won 56 percent of the total points in the set. In comparison, his
rival won 44 percent of the total points in the second set.
Zverev will now face world number 28 Tommy Robredo of Spain in the next round. The Spaniard, seeded 25th at the event, received a bye in the first round.
Robredo leads Zverev 2-1 in the head-to-head meetings between the two players.
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