Michael McClune, Bobby Reynolds move into the quarterfinals – Tulsa Challenger 2011
American qualifier Michael McClune made it to the quarterfinal of 2011 Tulsa Challenger with a superb 6-4, 3-2 victory over compatriot Wayne Odesnik here in Oklahoma on Thursday.
McClune made a strong start to the match as he forced errors from his opponent with some high quality tennis. Holding on to his service games without any problems what so ever, he looked in complete control of the situation. Looking
to break the serve, the American competed hard for every available point.
Odesnik was also up for the challenge and he managed to hold on to his first few service games to even the game score at 3-3. However, McClune had his break chance in eight game of the opening set, which he converted with a brilliant
backhand passing shot to take a crucial 5-3 lead. Securing his next service game with ease, he pocketed the opener to take the set score lead 1-0.
Ranked 558th in the Association of Tennis Professionals ranking, McClune continued to play aggressively in the following set as well. Breaking the serve early, he dented his opponent’s confidence levels. Leading 3-2
with a break of serve, he looked on course to an easy victory.
Odesnik, who was looking a bit out of sorts, felt pain in his shoulder and decided to retire from the contest after having a word with his medical trainer. McClune was awarded the win after his opponent retired from the match and
a spot in the last eight.
Defeating a player ranked much higher than himself, McClune will take a lot of confidence from this win, He also aims to give similar performances in the upcoming matches as well to win his first trophy of the season.
In another match at the Challengers tournament, number three seed Bobby Reynolds of United States thrashed out Brit Chris Eaton 6-2, 6-2 to book his place in the quarterfinals.
Reynolds adopted a very aggressive approach in the match and he broke his opponent at regular intervals to put himself in the driving seat. Timing the ball to perfection, he bagged the opening set in a blink of an eye. The second
set followed a pretty similar trend as Reynolds continued to dominate his rival in almost all areas of the game. Converting a long rally in his favour, the American set up two match points for himself and then converted the first one to close out the match
in straight sets.
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