Rhyne Williams ousts Daniel Smethurst to enter quarters – JSM Challenger 2012
Local competitor, Rhyne Williams, stomped over the British challenger, Daniel Smethurst, in straight sets at the JSM Challenger of Champaign 2012 on Wednesday. He joggled up a 7-5, 6-4 victory against the 22-year-old to power into the quarter-finals at this
ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) Challenger Tour event taking place in Champaign, Illinois.
The American contestant needed almost one and a half hour to outshine Smethurst in their first encounter. After earning the success, Williams comfortably progressed into the final eight and inched towards glory.
Williams quickly found the right track at this hard court tournament. He got the desiderated break in the third game and jumped to a 3-1 lead. The American held his composure and swiped his remaining serves until he levelled the scores in the 10th
game. However, Williams remained focused and got the breakthrough in the very next game, eventually sealing the opener by winning seven games to five. He dusted away two out of three breakpoints he came across and converted two out of five break chances to
his advantage.
Ranked 217th in the South African Airways ATP World Tour Rankings, Williams lost his path towards the following set. He suffered the first blow in the second game and fell at 0-3. After trailing at 1-4, the American unleashed his true colours,
subsequently reeling off last five games. He failed to block the lone breakpoint he came across but cashed both break chances to prevail.
The 21-year-old took full advantage of nine double faults his opponents coughed. He also produced a better first serve share of 57 per cent as compared to his rival’s 44 per cent and amazingly marked 27 out of 34 points on it.
Williams will face off his fourth seeded compatriot, Ryan Sweeting, who dumped Dennis Nevolo in straight sets to reach this place.
The top seed, Michael Russell, stomped over his wild card compatriot, Devin Britton, in straight sets to accompany Williams in the last eight. He dropped his serve four times but availed six out of 13 break chances to formulate a 6-4, 6-4 score line in one
hour and 37 minutes.
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