Ricardas Berankis battles past Federico Delbonis into 2nd round – Orleans Challenger 2011
Ricardas Berankis from Lithuania contested his first round match against Federico Delbonis of Argentina in the Orleans Challenger, played in France, on Monday October 17th. It was the first meeting between the two but
it seemed like they had been arch rivals forever. The startling display of all round performance by both players excited the crowd; a neck to neck battle lasted for two hours and twenty-seven minutes and it was Berankis who came on top at the end with a 7-6(4),
3-6, 6-4 win.
Superior ranking and sublime form favoured the Lithuanian who won seven of his last nine encounters and was 57 ranks higher from his counterpart; ranked 123. The dismal form from Delbonis who had just registered four victories
in his last nine encounters was under pressure to perform and produce positive results.
Power play from the Argentine was ecstatic. He smashed six aces in the first set. Both players capitalized on their serves; winning all games on their serves. Not a single break point throughout the first set for any player. This
forced the set into a tie-breaker and talented 21-year-old Lithuanian held his nerves to take the first set.
Berankis won 53 points in total and registered massive 84% firs serve points winning rate. His competitor was not far behind who managed to secure 45 points and 72% first serve points winning rate. The stage was set for an exciting
second set.
Trailing with one set down, Argentine stunned the crowd by hammering the Lithuanian in all aspects of the game. Perfect 100% first serve points win rate and three break-points were good enough to register the second set victory
and push the match into the final set. Spectators loved every bit of the contest.
Lithuanian was really disappointing in the second set and managed to secure just one break point. His first serve points win rate dropped from 84% to 50% due to an excellent, composed and organized return from his opponent.
A neck-to-neck battle in the third set continued before Argentine broke his opponent’s serve in the sixth game and took the lead 4-2 in the set. Everyone sensed an upset at that moment but Berankis had some other plans.
World No.123 composed himself and came back with an all round onslaught; throbbed the Argentine in all aspects, winning the next four games by breaking his competitor’s serve twice and smashing three aces on his way.
Argentine completely lost the grip on the match and his competitor stole the match from under his nose. Berankis now moves into the second round of the event where he will be playing either Maxime Teixiera or Edouard Roger Vasselin.
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