Radek Stepanek crushes Sam Querrey to reach semis – Regions Morgan Keegan Championships 2012
Third seeded Radek Stepanek drilled through the local wild card entrant, Sam Querrey, with a bagel at the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships 2012 on Friday. He nudged a 7-6(5), 6-0 score line against the 24-year-old to advance into the final four at this hard court event taking place in Memphis, Tennessee, United States.
The Czech veteran showed top notch performance to stomp over the American for the first time in their third encounter. After earning success in this one hour and 19-minutes duel, Stepanek not only lowered trail in the head-to-head series by 1-2 against Querrey but also secured a spot in the semi-finals at the Racquet Club of Memphis.
The Monaco resident assertively entered this ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) World Tour 500 series event. He maintained consistency in his game and after exchanging a break, Stepanek took the set to a tie-breaker. The Czech edged past Querrey in it and ultimately won the set with a 7-6(5) score line.
The 33-year-old went out of control in the proceeding set. He swiped in entire serves without facing any hindrance and cashed in all three break chances to go on a six games killing spree.
All in all, Stepanek outclassed the world number 99 in every department of tennis. He committed fewer errors, clobbered a better first serve share and spectacularly marked 24 out of 31 points on it. The Czech was unsuccessful in defending the only breakpoint he faced but converted four out of five break opportunities to his advantage.
Ranked 28th in the South African Airways ATP World Tour Rankings, Stepanek will next confront Jurgen Melzer of Austria. Melzer upset the top seeded John Isner in straight sets to set-up this date.
Later that day, fourth seeded Milos Raonic stole the limelight against the Belgian ace, Olivier Rochus.
"I did a lot of things well today," said the booming Canadian after winning his match. "I felt like there were a few games where I let up a little bit, but in the end of it [there was] not much I could do better. I just wish I could have kept the intensity up. I’m hitting better and I’m playing better tennis match by match. I’m creating my opportunities and taking care of my serve really well."
The 21-year-old hammered 26 aces and broke the Belgian’s serve twice to manipulate a 6-3, 7-6(3) score line.
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