Michael Russell moves into third round as Xavier Malisse retires – Legg Mason Tennis Classic 2011
The 2nd round of the Legg Mason Tennis Classic 2011 was proving to be divisive as the top of the line players retired out from the hard court. Michael Russell won his 2nd rounder as his challenger, Xavier Malisse retired with a hand injury as the scoreboard showed 7-6(4), 2-3. The fiery match was played at the William H.G. Fitzgerald Tennis Centre in Rock Creek Park.
Playing for the 6th time against each other, the two top rankers had a hard fight in the start of the match. Although Xavier Malisse had the upper edge, his injury became his bad luck. Russell, American world No.109 and former world No.60 would have certainly lost the match if he had not been so lucky.
With a blistering opening, powerful serve and even stronger backhands, Russell catapulted the Belgian on Wednesday night in the first set to lead 4-0 breaking the world No.109 one time in the first three games. The world No.42 fought back to level it up soon at 3-3. Switching the odds to his side, Russell hit an unexpected soft, tail-spinner chip, rather than a sweltering shot to aggravate the Belgian raising his hands in the air helplessly.
Statistically, both players had almost equal point wins. Russell, however, dominated with four aces, 83 percent of 1st serve wins and was broken only once. Surprisingly, the American had totalled fewer points than the Belgian. Together with 26 service and 13 return points, Russell took the set out with 39 points winning 7-6(4) in the first set.
The first set ended with a tough fight along with Malisse getting treatment for his sprained right hand. Continuing with the match, Xavier came back strong to win the next set only to be stopped by his own bad luck. The world No.42 armed a 3-1 lead winning the 4th game of the second set to switch the serve to the American once again.
However, his worsening hand injury did not let him continue any more. In between the fifth game, Malisse went to the match referee and announced his retirement from the match.
Russell hand shook the Belgian and walked out of the court. Malisse, on the contrary, seemed devastated with his towel on his head thinking of what had happened. The match ended up 7-6(4), 2-3 with Michael Russell securing his 3rdround easy seat to play Donald Young.
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