Ryan Harrison moves past Benjamin Becker into the final – Hall of Fame Tennis Championships 2012
Sixth seed, Ryan Harrison of USA, advanced to his third semi-final of the season when his opponent, Benjamin Becker, retired from the match due to a hamstring injury. Harrison was leading 6-4, 3-0 when the German qualifier decided
to forfeit the contest after just 57 minutes of play.
The first set was a bit competitive, as both players held their serve in the opening six games to take the score to 3-3. Harrison played superbly in the following two, as he dropped just one point to capture back to back games,
moving ahead 5-3. The American faced a lot of resistance in the 10th one but put away four break threats to hold it in the end and win 6-4.
Harrison fired two aces and made one double fault in the opening set, delivering 59 percent of the first serves and winning 14 of the 19 points on them. The Texas, USA resident gave an average performance on the replies to Becker’s
deliveries, as he claimed four of the 11 first and seven of the 18 second return points. Harrison put away all the four break threats he came across and utilised one of the two opportunities he received.
Before the star of the second set, Becker called physical trainer to get some help, as he was having pain in his hamstring. When the match resumed, Harrison made full use of his opponent’s deteriorating physical condition, breaking
him in the first and third game to race to a 3-0 lead. Becker decided to take retirement from the contest at that moment.
Harrison pounded three aces and captured three of the four points on his first serves. He won the entire four first and four of the six second return points.
In the post match press conference, the American said, “It was unfortunate that he had to retire. You never want to have anything bad like that happen to another guy. I felt I was playing and serving well and was in a good position
there. I hope he has a speedy recovery.”
Harrison will lock horns with his Davis Cup team mate, John Isner, in the final.
Talking about the next match, he added, “I know John really well. We've played Davis Cup together. I've watched him win some really big matches this year. I've been training with him a lot. He knows my game, and I know his game,
so it's going to be a fun match tomorrow.”
Harrison lost to Isner in straight sets in their only previous meeting on the ATP World Tour.
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