Ryan Sweeting trounces Bobby Reynolds in the second round – US Men’s Clay Court Championships 2012
In an-all American duel, Ryan Sweeting stomped over his compatriot, Bobby Reynolds, in straight sets at the US Men’s Clay Court Championship 2012 on Thursday. He joggled up a 6-3, 6-2 victory against the world number 116 to book a place in the quarter-finals at this clay court event taking place from 9th to 15th April in Texas.
The 24-year-old American displayed superb skills at the River Oaks Country Club and stayed on track for his second ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) career title. Encountering each other for the first time, Sweeting not only took lead in the head-to-head series by 1-0 against his fellow citizen but also cruised into the quarter-finals.
Sweeting assertively entered this ATP World Tour 250 series event and held his serve in the opening game. He continued hammering powerful forehands to pluck remaining serves without facing any barrier. The winning American got the breakthrough in the fourth game and clinched the opener with a 6-3 score line.
Ranked 143rd in the South African Airways ATP World Tour Rankings, Sweeting went out of control in the following set and stroke out the opening four games in a row before Reynolds could hold on. He then kept remaining serves with conviction and sealed the set by winning six games to two.
Summing up the beaming American’s performance, Sweeting clobbered a slightly lower first serve share of 76 per cent as compared to his compatriot’s 78 per cent and spectacularly clicked 32 out of 34 points on it. He also sought 11 break opportunities and capitalised on three to earn the glory.
Next challenge for Sweeting is the world number 10, John Isner, who rallied past the Argentinean qualifier, Horacio Zeballos, in a three set thriller to set-up this clash. Isner fired 16 aces and broke the qualifier’s serve three times to manipulate a 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-2 score line in two hours and 13 minutes.
The top seed, Mardy Fish, faced a different fortune later that day. He was edged out by his qualifying compatriot, Michael Russell, for the first time in their third meeting. The American number one broke Russell’s serve once but blocked only three out of eight breakpoints he faced, ultimately sealing the deal with a 6-3, 6-1 success.
Tags: