Ryan Harrison beats Yen-Hsun Lu in three sets in quarterfinal – Farmers Classic 2011
The LA Tennis Centre lightened on 29th July in Los Angeles as the first quarter-final of the Farmers Classic opened up. Facing each other for the first time in history, Ryan Harrison, the home player, played against
Yen-Hsun Lu of Taiwan in a 3 setter to the semis. Playing on hard court, the two players experienced an extraordinary crowd. Ryan delivered a surprise to the Taipei as he came back from one set down to win 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Opening the first set of the match, Lu served and won the first set. With 80 percent of his 1st serve point wins, the Taipei subjugated the first set. The only breakpoint of the set came up in game 8 when Harrison gave
away a cheeky breakpoint to the world No.76, Lu, providing a first set win for him. Although the American saved majority of the breakpoints, the one he lost was what made the difference. The set ended up with Lu winning 6-3 over the American world No.94.
The second set started with Harrison taking the lead in the first set 1-0. The scores levelled as the Taipei won the second game 1-1. Ryan put forward his defence as he saved seven out of the eight breakpoints faced. Breaking the
world no.76 twice in the second set, the young American blazed his opponent four times in the set.
The 19-year-old American locked 40 points in total including 28 service and 12 return points to steal the set 6-3 with a similar beating he got in the first set.
While the Taipei was searching for a weak point to exploit, the American choke slammed the 27-year-old, Lu, once again. Serving for the opener, Lu took the lead 1-0. Ryan followed and levelled the scores 1-1 yet again.
Playing the best he could, the Taipei put up a good fight. Winning on his respective serves without giving any breakpoints the scores levelled up at 3-3 and it was then the 27-year-old slipped up and gave the first breakpoint of
the set and the last for the match.
Breaking his rival, Ryan won two out of the next three games, capturing the set and eventually the match.
The final stat book totalled 97 points for the home player together with 69 service points and 28 returners. Serving eight aces, Ryan gave away only two breakpoints in three sets.
The 19-year-old startled the 27-year-old as he singled out the best shots on court. His stability and accuracy was unmatched by the Taiwanese that led him to win a worthy semi-final seat.
Ryan Harrison will now face either Mardy Fish or Igor Kunitsyn in the semis.
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