Radek Stepanek outsmarts Bobby Reynolds in round one – Regions Morgan Keegan Championships 2012
Third seeded Radek Stepanek eased past the local qualifier, Bobby Reynolds, in straight sets at the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships 2012 on Wednesday. He swiftly registered a 6-3, 6-2 victory over the world number 117 to advance into the second round
at this ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) World Tour 500 series event held in Memphis, United States.
The Monte Carlo resident, Stepanek maintained his winning streak against Reynolds after earning a straight set victory at the Racquet Club of Memphis. As a result, he not only improved to a 3-0 record in the head-to-head series against the qualifier but
also booked a place in the round of 16.
Through his excellent defensive skills, the Czech dusted away all four breakpoints he faced and smoothly held entire serves in the opening set. He cashed in one out of three break opportunities and pocketed the opener with a 6-3 success.
The 33-year-old kept momentum sailing into the following set and cruised to hold his entire serves without facing any breakpoint. He broke the American’s serve twice and sealed the deal with a 6-2 score line.
Bidding for his sixth ATP career title here, Stepanek will square off against another local star, Ryan Sweeting. The world number 78 slew his compatriot, James Blake, with a bagel to occupy this spot.
The second seed, Andy Roddick, faced a different fortune at this event. He bowed out to the Belgian ace, Xavier Malisse, for the first time in their 10th meeting. The Defending champion lost his serve twice and despite seeking seven break chances,
he converted one to his advantage and eventually suffered a 6-7(8), 5-7 loss.
"I hit the ball okay, I just didn’t hit it well when I had to," the former world number one was quoted.
The crowd favourite, Roddick, was struck with injuries this season which dipped his form at this tournament. He was forced to retire at the Australian Open due to a hamstring injury and exited from the SAP Open due to an ankle injury.
"It’s frustrating, but at the same token, I had 9-10 years of pretty clean bill of health overall," Roddick commented. "I think for me to feel too sorry for myself now, it probably wouldn’t be okay. I know Mardy, for instance, had wrist surgeries in the
middle of his career, 22, 23 years old, so I didn’t have that. It’s the first time I’m really dealing with anything significant."
Malisse on the other hand advanced into the second round where he will confront Germany’s Benjamin Becker.
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