Ryan Harrison downs Igor Kunitsyn to enter the quarters – US Men’s Clay Court Championship 2012
Local star, Ryan Harrison, eased past the Russian competitor, Igor Kunitsyn, in straight sets at the US Men’s Clay Court Championship 2012 on Thursday. He penned down a 6-2, 6-4 victory against the world number 91 to advance into the final eight at this
ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) World Tour 250 series event held in Houston, Texas.
The American teenager displayed solid tennis to outsmart Kunitsyn in straight sets in their first meeting. After overpowering the Russian in one hour and 11 minutes, Harrison not only edged in their FedEx ATP Head 2 Head series by 1-0 but also secured a
place in the round of eight at this clay court event.
Harrison enthusiastically entered the River Oaks Country Club and smoothly plucked his entire serves through tremendous agility from his box of tricks. He warded off the lone breakpoint he faced and cashed in half of the four break opportunities to clobber
a 6-2 score line.
The 19-year-old kept momentum running into the proceeding set and quickly swiped in his entire serves without facing any obstacle. He capitalised on one out of three break chances and sealed the set by winning six games to four.
Summing up the local youngster’s performance, Harrison produced a slightly higher first serve share of 63 per cent as opposed to the Russian’s 62 per cent and magnificently clicked 26 out of 32 points on it. He also smashed five ferocious aces and clinched
the match with 65 points.
Ranked 65th in the South African Airways ATP World Tour Rankings, Harrison will next confront his qualifying compatriot, Michael Russell. Russell stunned the top seed, Mardy Fish with a breadstick in one hour and 14 minutes to set-up this epic
battle. The world number 136 broke his rival’s serve five times to manipulate a 6-3, 6-1 score line.
The second seed, John Isner, will join Harrison in the quarter-finals. The 6’9” American hammered 16 aces and cashed in three out of 10 break chances to nudge up a 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-2 success. He also manifested a better first serve share and tremendously clicked
42 out of 55 points on it.
Tags: