Richard Gasquet rallies past Albert Ramos into the last 16 – Sony Ericsson Open 2012
World number 17 Richard Gasquet survived the scare in the second set to beat Albert Ramos of Spain 6-2, 5-7, 6-3 in the third round at the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami on Monday. The Frenchman needed two hours and 33 minutes to
come out victorious from a close match.
Gasquet struck in the fourth game and saved a couple of break points in the fifth to build a 4-1 lead. The French hit another blow after claiming a 16-point game to clinch it 6-2.
The right-hander banged in two aces and 61 percent of the first deliveries, converting 12 of the 14 of them into points in the first set. On the other hand, Ramos looked rusty on his serve, as he committed three double faults and
put in just 49 percent of the first serves. The Spaniard failed to save two of the five break threats he faced and was unable to avail the only chance he had in the opener.
Ramos, who upset Feliciano Lopez in the previous match, fought back in the second set. The Spaniard snatched a break of serve in the third game and consolidated on it to build a 3-1 lead. Ramos could not serve out the set at 5-4,
as he did not win even a single point. However, the Spaniard lost just two points in the next two games and captured it 7-5.
The Mataro, Spain, resident made the difference by improving his serve and second returns. He fired three aces and sealed 16 of the 20 first delivery points. Ramos made his opponent look helpless, as he won an incredible 10 of
the 13 points on the second returns.
The Spaniard could not continue at the level he played in the second set, losing opening three games of the decisive set to trail 0-3. Gasquet did not allow Ramos to stage a comeback this time, serving it out at 5-3.
Both players gave an average serve performance in the decider. Gasquet could not hit any ace and committed two double faults. The Frenchman and Ramos delivered 57 and 56 percent of the first serves respectively. Though, Gasquet
put away the only break point he faced and capitalised on one of the two he received in the final set.
The former world number seven is slated to take on top seed, Novak Djokovic of Serbia, for a place in the last eight.
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