Rajeev Ram upsets Leonardo Mayer to enter semis – Farmers Classic 2012
American contender, Rajeev Ram, shocked the third seed, Leonardo Mayer, in straight sets at the Farmers Classic 2012 on Friday. He juggled up a 7-6(3), 6-3 victory against the world number 64 to power into the final four at this outdoor hard court tournament which is part of the Emirates Airline US Open Series.
Ram stayed on track to lift his second career title after stunning the seeded Argentinean in their first meeting. He needed one hour and 36 minutes to overpower Mayer occupy a spot in semi-finals at this ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) World Tour 250 series event taking place in the campus of UCLA, California.
''It just didn't happen overnight,'' Ram stated after winning his match against the Argentine. ''I kind of re-evaluated my tennis. Not like, 'Do I want to keep playing?' but just how I was going about it and trying to make improvements. I felt like I was giving too many points away, both mentally and by going for too much, and (needed) just to find a way to make more guys beat me. If a guy beats me by hitting more winners, then he beats me.''
The opening set saw both tennis starts displaying their best tennis. Ram quickly swiped his entire serves without encountering any barrier. Regardless of seeking any break opportunity, the American cruised to a 6-1 lead in the tie-breaker before pulling out the opener with a 7-6(3) score line.
Ranked 117th in the South African Airways ATP World Tour Rankings, Ram swayed from his path towards the second set and suffered the first blow in the third game to fall at 1-3. However, he unleashed his true potential and reeled off the following five games in a row, eventually sealing the set by winning six games to three.
Ram will face off his second seeded compatriot, Sam Querrey, in the last four. Querrey registered a 6-2, 3-1 retirement victory against fifth seeded Xavier Malisse in 36 minutes from the start of the match. He swiped his entire serves without facing any hindrance and converted three out of four break chances to his advantage.
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