Simone Bolelli tumbles over Florent Serra to reach main draw – Sony Ericsson Open 2012
Italian star, Simone Bolelli, edges past the French contender, Florent Serra, in straight sets at the Sony Ericsson Open 2012 on Tuesday. He clobbered a 7-6(2), 7-5 victory over the 31-year-old to advance into the opening round at this ATP (Association of
Tennis Professionals) World Tour Masters 1000 event held in Miami, United States.
In an epic two hours and eight-minute clash, the 11th seed stomped over Serra in their fifth meeting to book a spot in the main draw at this Floridian hard court tournament. After earning this success, Bolelli avenged his defeat at the Sopot Challenger
last year.
The 26-year-old thundered into the Tennis Center at Crandon Park and broke the French’s serve in the opening game. Regardless of losing his edge in the very next game, Bolelli held his composure and plucked his remaining serves. He found three more break
chances but squandered them, eventually dragging the set to a tie-breaker. After the points were levelled at 2-2 in the tie-breaker, the Italian unleashed his skills and pulled out the opener with a 7-6(2) win.
Ranked 109th in the South African Airways ATP World Tour Rankings, Bolelli went berserk in the proceeding set and stroke out the opening three games in a row before Serra could hold on. He then remained focused in the remaining set and after exchanging
two serve breaks, the Italian sealed the set by winning seven games to five.
Next up for the Italian is the Spanish contender, Albert Ramos, in the opening round.
The 12th seed, Bjorn Phau, also earned the limelight later that day. He made an epic comeback from a set down to outclass America’s Michael Russell in a three set thriller.
After losing his serve once in the opening set, Phau suffered a 3-6 defeat. However, he made a spectacular reply in the following set, going on a five-game rampage before pulling out the equaliser with a breadstick. The German maintained his intensity in
the final set and wiped out the opening four games in a row. He kept his remaining serves and sealed the decider by winning six games to two.
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