Rajeev Ram hits back at Philipp Petzschner to enter main draw – Valencia Open 2012
Qualifying fifth seed, Rajeev Ram from United States stomped over the German veteran, Philipp Petzschner, in a three-set thriller at the qualifying competition of Valencia Open 2012 on Sunday. He penned down a 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory against the fourth seed to book a spot in the main draw at the Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències.
The American seed showed brilliant skills despite losing his opening set. He found his rhythm in the second set and eventually pulled out the victory in two hours and 10 minutes. As a result, Ram not only avenged his loss at the Wimbledon Championships three years ago but also progressed into the main draw at this indoor hard court event.
The world number 97 made quick in-roads at this ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) World Tour 500 series event. He drew the first blood in the third game and cruised to a 3-1 lead. Petzschner kept his remaining serves with poise and after capitalising on another break chance in the last game, the German pulled out the opener with a 6-3 score line. He was never threatened with any barrier and cashed both break opportunities to inch towards the fame.
Ram re-structured his strategy in the proceeding set. He got the desiderated break in the fifth game and jumped to a 4-2 lead. The American kept his remaining serves with conviction and eventually sealed the equaliser by winning six games to four. He swiped his entire serves without encountering any breakpoint and converted on out of five break chances to his advantage.
Ranked 93rd in the South African Airways ATP World Tour Rankings, Ram kept momentum floating in the deciding set. He availed a break chance in the third game and leaped to a 3-1 lead. The American continued hitting massive forehands and bagged his remaining serves, subsequently clinching the decider with a 6-4 score line.
The Czech challenger, Jan Hajek, will join Ram in the proceeding round. He dropped his serve three times but cashed four out of eight break chances, ultimately formulating a 6-4, 7-6(4) score line in one and a half hour.
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