PTT Thailand Open: Thursday’s Review
Second seed Fernando Verdasco from Spain was upset by the world number 65 Benjamin Becker from Germany in his first match of the PTT Thailand Open in a two setter clash on Thursday. The final match score was 6-4, 6-4. The meeting concluded in a time period of 87 minutes in Kuala Lumpur.
The world number 8, who was looking to qualify for the season ending Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London on the second season in a row, couldn’t even win his opening round match in Kuala Lumpur. On the other hand, it was Benjamin’s first victory over Verdasco since June last season at the UNICEF Open event.
"It is always good to get a win over a Top 10 player. It is not every week that it happens, so it gives me confidence for the rest of the indoor season. I had beaten him before so I knew I had a chance today,” said Becker after getting the better of Fernando Verdasco on Thursday.
Becker, the 2007 finalist, fired a total of 9 aces for recording his fifth top ten win of his professional life. Verdasco on the other hand shares a 2-2 record in ATP World Tour finals this season and a match record of 41-18.
Meanwhile, Jarkko Niemen, who was a quarterfinalist at the Open de Moselle a few days ago, continued his good form by successfully making his way into the last eight of the ATP World Tour Championships in Bangkok.
The 29-year-old Finn prevented an amazing fourteen of fifteen break point opportunities to beat his seventh seed foe Viktor Troicki of Serbia in two sets on Thursday. The final match score was 7-6(4) and 6-2. The clash concluded in a time of 1 hour and 41 minutes on Thursday. Jarkko, as a result of this victory has improved to a match record of 19-22 in the 2010 season.
Meanwhile, Rafael Nadal won his opening match of the PTT Thailand Open on Thursday after overpowering Ruben Bemelmans, a qualifier from Belgium in two sets with a score of 6-1, 6-4. The clash lasted for merely 72 minutes. Rafa, as a result of this victory, has reached the quarter final round of the tournament.
The Spaniard, who came to Bangkok 10 days ago, missed only 8 points on serve and managed to convert 3 out of a total of 5 break point opportunities. The 24-year-old Nadal shares a match record of 60-7 on the season.
The left handed tennis player from Spain locked up ATP World Tour Champion honours on the second occasion after winning his first United States Open crown, beating Novak Djokovic of Serbia last month. He registered his name as the seventh contender in the history of tennis to complete a career Grand Slam as well as the youngest to accomplish the feat in the Open Era.
"It is never easy in a first match. I had a few days rest after the United States Open but I think I am playing well. I'm happy with my match. Bemelmans played well during some moments and the second set for sure was not easy. It's important to start with a win,” said Nadal after his victory.
The Spaniard, who also met Abhisit Vejjajiva, the Prime Minister of Thailand after his victory on Thursday further explained, “It was an honour for me to meet the Prime Minister and I would just like to thank him for coming to watch the match."
Rafael as a result of this win will now meet Mikhail Kukushkin of Kazakhstan, who managed to serve a total of 17 aces in his three setter victory over Olivier Rochus, which came as his second three setter win in a row. The final match score was 6-4, 5-7 and 6-3.
Tags: