Paul-Henri Mathieu hits back to oust Bjorn Phau in round one – Roland Garros 2012
Former world number 12, Paul-Henri Mathieu, made a spectacular comeback to outclass the German challenger, Bjorn Phau, in a five-set thriller at the French Open 2012 on Monday. He summed up a 2-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-0 victory against the German veteran to labour into the second round at this second of the four Grand Slam event held in Paris, France.
The local star, Mathieu stepped on gas after the second set and eventually carved out the victory with a bagel. After pocketing this match, the French not only improved to a 4-0 lifetime in the FedEx ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) Head 2 Head series against Phau but also advanced into the round of 64.
Phau high-spiritedly entered the court number two and held his serve in the second game to level the scores at 1-1. After Mathieu held his serve in the third game, the German unleashed his skills and wiped out the following five games in a row, subsequently sealing the opener by winning six games to two.
The world number 85 carried his spark in the follow-up set and swiftly swiped in his entire serves without facing any hindrance. He got the breakthrough in the fifth game and clicked the set with a 6-4 win.
The 30-year-old on the other end made a fitting reply in the third set. He got the coveted break in the second game and leaped to a 3-0 lead. Apart from losing his edge in the fifth game, Mathieu held remaining serves and clinched the set with a 6-4 score line after cashing in his second break chance in the last game.
Currently ranked 261st in the South African Airways ATP World Tour Rankings, Mathieu kept momentum rolling in the fourth set. He earned the desiderated break in the second game and jumped to a 2-0 lead. Apart from squandering his edge in the very next game, the French kept his remaining serves and pocketed the set with a 6-3 win.
The match was standing on a knife edge but the local veteran carried his rhythm in the final set. He went on a six-game tear and baked the decider with bagel.
Mathieu will square-off against 10th seeded John Isner who trashed the Brazilian qualifier, Rogerio Dutra Silva, in straight sets to set up this battle. The American number two plucked his entire serves with conviction and capitalised on three out of 11 break chances to register a 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 success.
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