Rajeev Ram crushes Paul Capdeville to enter quarters – Farmers Classic 2012
Local challenger, Rajeev Ram, blasted past the Chilean star, Paul Capdeville, with a breadstick at the Farmers Classic 2012 on Wednesday. He clobbered a 6-3, 6-1 victory against the 29-year-old to secure a spot in the final eight at this ATP (Association
of Tennis Professionals) World Tour 250 series event taking place in Los Angeles, California.
Ram stayed on track to bid for his second career title after conquering the Chilean veteran in their first encounter. After earning the limelight in one hour and four minutes, the American not only took lead in the head-to-head series by 1-0 against the
world number 139 but also powered into the quarter-finals at this Emirates Airline US Open Series event.
"I just tried to get as many balls back as I could," said the delighted American after clinching the match. "I also served well. It's important to win consecutive matches, that's what the top guys do. I've struggled in the past putting back-to-back wins
together. This was an important step for me. I'm trying to compete hard and not commit too many errors. I don't want to beat myself out there."
The 28-year-old entered the Los Angeles Tennis Center with poise. He plucked his opening serves in the second game and levelled the scores at 1-1. After the Chilean held his serve in the fifth game, Ram unleashed his skills and stroke out the last four games
in a row, eventually sealing the opener with a 6-3 win.
Ranked 117th in the South African Airways ATP World Tour Rankings, Ram improved his game in the follow-up set. He earned the coveted break in the second game and jumped to a 3-0 lead. After Capdeville came on the score sheet in the fourth game,
the American maintained his intensity and wiped out the last three games successively. He bagged his entire serves without encountering any hindrance and capitalised on two out of five break chances.
All in all, the Denver native outclassed his rival completely in this outdoor hard court event. He fired 10 aces and never spilled any double fault. The American also produced a better first serve share of 62 per cent as opposed to his rival’s 52 per cent
and tremendously marked 22 out of 26 points on it.
Next challenge for Ram is the third seed, Leonardo Mayer, who recorded a 6-0, 4-0 retirement victory against the Italian contestant, Flavio Cipolla. The Italian suffered a neck injury during the marathon and eventually pulled out from the tournament.
Tags: