Mikhail Youzhny downs Kevin Anderson to enter quarters – China Open 2012
Russian contender, Mikhail Youzhny, tumbled the South African number one, Kevin Anderson, in straight sets at the China Open 2012 on Thursday. He nudged up a 6-3, 6-3 success against the 26-year-old to power into the final eight at the National Tennis Center in Beijing, China.
The Russian veteran stayed on track to bid for his second year-to-date title after triumphing over Anderson in their second encounter at this outdoor hard court event. After registering the success in one hour and 32 minutes, Youzhny improved to a 2-0 lifetime in the FedEx ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) Head 2 Head Series against the world number 36.
Youzhny assertively entered this ATP World Tour 500 Series event. He warded off all three breakpoints he came across to keep his entire serves. The Russian got the breakthrough in the sixth game after capitalising on one out of two break chances and clicked the opener with a 6-3 win.
Ranked 28th in the South African Airways ATP World Tour Rankings, Youzhny maintained consistency in his game in the following set. He got the desiderated break in the opening game and took the initial lead. Despite failing to block the lone breakpoint he faced in the very next game, the Russian broke his rival’s serve again and leaped to a 3-1 lead. He kept his remaining serves with conviction and cashed in another break chance in the last game, eventually sealing the set by winning six games to three.
The 30-year-old produced a slightly lower first serve share of 52 per cent as compared to his opponent’s 53 per cent but impressively clinched 22 out of 31 points on it. He also withstood five aces and ended the match with 63 points.
The in-form Russian will face off third seeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga who received a walkover against Nikolay Davydenko.
The local wild card entrant, Ze Zhang, will join Youzhny in the proceeding set. He battled past the fifth seed, Richard Gasquet, in a three-set thriller to progress. Zhang lost his serve twice but cashed in all three break chances to book a spot in the last eight.
Tags: