Ryan Sweeting beats Olivier Rochus; moves into the 2nd round – Winston-Salem Open 2011
Moving on with the 1st round fixtures of the Winston-Salem Open 2011, an ATP Tour 250 event, Ryan Sweeting played his fixture against Olivier Rochus, Belgian, defeating him in straight sets 6-3, 7-5.
Playing on the hard courts of Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, USA it took the American 96 minutes to pass by the Belgian world No.78 and into the next round.
Sweeting, aged 24 and countryman to Mardy Fish, has been up as a pro since 2007. Although it did not take the American much time to reach an appreciable position, he still needs a lot of practice if he dreams to enter the top 10
spot. The hard court contender has been up to make his mark in almost all tours, however, could not succeed in any. Luckily the Winston Open is proving to be a better picture for the American.
The Belgian, on the contrary, has been dropping down in ranking in the past few weeks. Although the 30-year-old has been in the top 30s’ formerly, his aged factorized his decrease in ranking. Considered as a strong grass court
player, Rochus struggled playing his 1st round match against the American world No.71 on hard court and eventually lost.
The two had previously met at the US Open where the Belgian pulled off strong and won. However, the American took his revenge knocking him out of the Winston-Salem Open.
Kicking off with the first set, Sweeting served first and rolled down the score card, 1-0. Rochus, however, levelled up with the American winning game 2 of the set. The two then levelled again at 2-2 and then on 3-3 before the
American unleashed misery.
Winning game 7 on his serve, Sweeting broke the Belgian old dog in no time and led the game 5-3. The 24-year-old went on finishing the first set 6-3 winning game 9.
Continuing with the second set, Rochus served first taking away game 1, however, the American immediately followed to level the scores.
The two rallied passed 2-2, 3-3 and 4-4 and then 5-5 with Rochus to serve for game 11. Losing a breakpoint to the 24-year-old, the Belgian blundered and dropped down a game followed by the American blasting through the final game
of the set and winning 7-5.
Statistically, Sweeting won equal points on service and on returners that proved crucial. Including 7 aces and 4 breakpoints, the 24-year-old took away the match with 47 service points and 30 returners totalling 77.
Making his way to the next round, the American will now face the mighty Cypriot, Marcos Baghdatis.
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