Rhyne Williams stuns Ryan Sweeting to reach semis – JSM Challenger 2012
In an all-American affair, Rhyne Williams got the better of the fourth seed, Ryan Sweeting, in straight sets at the JSM Challenger of Champaign 2012 on Thursday. He nudged up a 7-6(4), 6-2 victory against the world number 147 to secure a spot in the last
four at this hard court tournament taking place from 10th to 17th November in Illinois, United States.
The local youngster showed brilliant agility to outclass Sweeting in their third meeting this season. Williams lost in their first encounter at the Savannah Challenger but routed Sweeting in straight sets at the Charlottesville Challenger last month. After
recording this victory, the unseeded American secured a spot in the semi-finals and inched towards the prize money.
Both stars showed brilliant skills and kept their respective serves in the opening set at this ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) Challenger Tour event. Williams swiped his entire serves without facing any trouble. He failed to seek any break opportunity
but cruised to a 5-2 lead in the tie-breaker eventually sealing the opener with a 7-6(4) win.
Ranked 217th in the South African Airways ATP World Tour Rankings, Williams perfected his ways towards the following set. After Sweeting held his serve in the fourth game, the unseeded American unleashed barrage of groundstrokes and reeled off
four games in a row. He was never threatened with any barrier and cashed two out of three break chances to bag the set with a 6-2 success.
The 21-year-old hammered six aces and despite nudging up a slightly lower first serve share of 62 per cent as compared to his rival’s 63 per cent, he superbly marked 33 out of 36 points on it.
Elsewhere, the sixth seed Tim Smyczek also stole the show. He overpowered the Australian contestant, John-Patrick Smith, in straight sets in almost two hours. The seeded American was broken three times but capitalised on four out of 11 break chances to formulate
a 7-5, 7-6(0) score line. He committed more double faults but produced a better first serve share of 68 per cent as compared to his rival’s 66 per cent. Spicing it further, the American acceptably clinched 40 out of 59 points to prevail.
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