Michael Ryderstedt upsets Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo; races into next round – SkiStar Swedish Open 2011
Swedish hope Michael Ryderstedt took on Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo in the first match of the day on Center Court at Bastad. Much to Sweden’s delight Ryderstedt pulled of an easy two set victory over the 142nd ranked Spaniard.
Ryderstedt is currently ranked at 311.
Michael Ryderstedt hot on the heels of his great performance at the Davis Cup is playing extremely well on the courts. He was amongst the three Swedish hopefuls who got wild cards this year and is the only one that remains. His
performance today is testament to the fact that Sweden, which currently has only one player - Robin Soderling in the top 250, can look forward to cheering two in the final eight of the Swedish Open.
Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo of Spain despite his higher rank offered no competition to his opponent and effectively gave away the game. The match lasted for almost an hour and a half.
Ramirez Hidalgo opened the match and managed to establish a short lived lead 1-0 in the first game. With the score level at 2-2, Ryderstedt registered a destructive serve break and cruised ahead. Despite his lower first serve percentage
in comparison to Ramirez Hidalgo’s 76%, Ryderstedt accumulated 22 points of his 28 serves and these made all the difference. Ryderstedt also managed to grab three aces but they were somehow offset by his three double faults. Ryderstedt took the first set at
6-4.
Ramirez Hidalgo opened the first game of the second set and again managed a fleeting lead. Scores again leveled at 2-2 but Ryderstedt successfully converted a crucial serve break to devastate his opponent. Overall Ramirez Hidalgo
was unable to save two of the three breakpoints in the set and managed a dismal 45% first serve percentage. The Swede keeping true to his form, the big hitting left hander, secured three aces and improved his serve accuracy to 73%. Ryderstedt effectively limited
Ramirez Hidalgo to 6-2 in this set and won the match.
Ryderstedt is now going to face fourth seed Nicolas Almagro in his next match later today. The Spanish Almagro, currently ranked at 14 easily outlasted Guillermo Olaso in his opening match of the tournament.
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