Mikhail Ledovskikh oust Andre Begemann to progress in qualifiers – Gerry Weber Open 2012
Russian contender, Mikhail Ledovskikh, stomped over the local challenger, Andre Begemann, in straight sets at the Gerry Weber Open 2012 on Saturday. He penned down a 7-5, 7-5 victory over the world number 315 to progress into the second round of the qualifying
competition at this ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) World Tour 250 series event taking place in Halle, Germany.
The Kazakhstani-born Ledovskikh got the better of Begemann in front of a pessimist crowd in one hour and 34 minutes. After pocketing this match in their first encounter, the Russian assertively advanced into the second round of the qualifying competition
at this outdoor grass court tournament.
Ledovskikh made a strong start at the Gerry Weber Stadion and drew the first blood in the third game to go 3-1 up. Despite losing his serve in the sixth game, the Russian stayed focused and carved out the victory with a 7-5 score line after capitalising
on another break opportunity in the 11th game.
Ranked 308th in the South African Airways ATP World Tour Rankings, Ledovskikh kept momentum sailing into the follow-up set. Despite suffering the first blow in the sixth game and trailing at 2-5, he stayed calm and recovered in the ninth game.
The Russian got the breakthrough in the 11th game and pocketed the set by winning seven games to five.
All in all, the 25-year-old smashed seven aces took full advantage of the eight double faults his rival committed. He also clobbered a better first serve share of 60 per cent as opposed to his opponent’s 52 per cent and amazingly marked 30 out of 42 points
on it.
Next up for the Russian is the eighth seed, Ze Zhang, who received a first round bye after being a seeded player at the qualifying competition in Halle.
Jaan-Frederik Brunken from Germany faced a better fate. He was broken once and capitalised on three out of seven break opportunities, eventually formulating a 6-4, 6-4 success against Sweden’s Johan Brunstrom. He smashed 10 aces and manipulated a better
first serve share of 64 per cent as opposed to his rival’s 59 per cent to rule the match.
Tags: