Nicolas Almagro outmuscles Philipp Petzschner in round two – US Open 2012
Seeded 11th in this event, Nicolas Almagro from Spain required five sets to overpower the German challenger, Philipp Petzschner, at the Flushing Meadows 2012 on Thursday. He nudged up a 6-3, 5-7, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 victory against the former Top 35
to power into the third round at this major hard court event held in Corona Park in New York City, United States.
The Spanish number three lost his track after bagging the opening set at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. However, he sought his rhythm again in the fourth set and then held his composure, eventually sealing the deal in three hours and 19
minutes.
Both players were battling each other for the first time and after earning this success, Almagro not only edged in the FedEx ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) Head 2 Head Series by 1-0 against the German but also advanced into the round of 32.
Almagro made quick in-roads at the Grandstand Stadium. He drew the first blood in the second game and winded up the opening three games before Petzschner could come on the score sheet. He held his remaining serves without encountering any challenge and clicked
the opener with a 6-3 win.
The 28-year-old rebounded in the proceeding set regardless of suffering the initial blow in the opening game. He reeled off four games in a row to take a 4-1 lead. In spite of losing his edge in the ninth game, Petzschner capitalised in another break chance
in the last game and clinched the set with a 7-5 score line.
The world number 106 maintained consistency in his game in the follow-up set. He hammered 14 winners and did not face any breakpoint to keep his entire serves. Petzschner got the breakthrough in the last game and sealed the set by winning seven games to
five.
Ranked 12th in the South African Airways ATP World Tour Rankings, Almagro found the winning path in the fourth set. He plucked his entire serves without facing any hindrance and cashed in one out of four break chances in the fifth game to pull
out the set with a 6-4 score line.
The match could have gone in any direction but the seed carried his momentum in the final set. After exchanging a serve break in the opening two games, Almagro kept his remaining serves with poise. He availed another break chance in the seventh game and
pocketed the decider with a 6-4 win.
He will next face the local wild card entrant, Jack Sock, who eased past Italy’s Flavio Cipolla in straight sets to set up this date.
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