Rajeev Ram upset Grega Zemlja in the qualifiers at US Men’s Clay Court Championship
American Rajeev Ram destroyed 8th seeded Slovene Grega Zemlja in straight sets in just under 75 minutes on Sunday. He earned a 6-4, 6-3 win over the Slovene to advance in the qualifiers at River Oaks
Country Club in Houston.
World number 229 Ram displayed his tremendous spell in the tournament as he stunned the 76 ranked above Zemlja in straight sets on his first ever meeting. The Indian rooted American committed equal number of double faults
i.e. 3 and had an acceptable first serve share of 43 per cent as compared to slightly lower of Slovene’s 39 per cent. However, he registered an amazing 75 per cent win on it and saved 60 percent of breakpoints. Ram lost two of his serves but broke Zemlja’s
serve three times to clinch the set with a 6-4 win.
Ram exited from the qualifying rounds at Chennai, Australian Open, Johannesburg, Delray Beach and Indian Wells, he seemed to be in good shape in this ATP World Tour event as he rallied past his countryman Jesse Levine in
the first qualifier to reach this spot.
He improved his winning ways in the second set as he smacked two aces and had a higher first serve share this time. Although he committed more double faults lost his serve once in this final set, Ram spectacularly broke Slovene’s
serve three times to win the set with a convincing 6-3 score line.
Zemlja played poorly in the match. He had a poor first serve share and saved only 40 percent of breakpoints. Furthermore, the Slovene only converted three out of ten breakpoint opportunities to his advantage.
The American will next face 4th seeded Chilean Paul Capdeville who defeated American Alex Kuznetsov in straight sets to reach this spot.
Another player who advanced in the qualifiers by upsetting his opponent was Canadian Frank Dancevic. World number 201, Dancevic warded off early resistance from the 3rd seeded Australian Marinko Matosevic
to advance in the qualifiers by registering a 7-6(10), 6-1 score line.
The 26-year-old Canadian had an acceptable first serve share of 47 per cent as opposed to slightly higher of Matosevic’s 49 per cent but he earned an exceptional 79 per cent win on it. He completely outshined his rival as
he committed two double faults to Australian’s seven, saved 75 per cent of the breakpoints, hammered six ferocious aces and converted three out of five breakpoint opportunities to his advantage to clinch the match in straight sets.
He will next face American Tim Smyczek.
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