Steve Darcis ousts Albert Montanes to reach round two – Mercedes Cup 2012
Belgian star, Steve Darcis, took down the Spanish contender, Albert Montanes, in straight sets at the Mercedes Cup 2012 on Monday. He clobbered a 6-2, 6-4 victory against the world number 86 to secure a spot in the round of 16 at this clay court tournament
held in Stuttgart, Germany.
Darcis showed brilliant skills to outsmart the Spanish contender in one hour and nine minutes at the Tennis Club Weissenhof. After earning this limelight, the Belgian not only avenged his defeat at the Amersfoort ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals)
event but also levelled the head-to-head series by 1-1 against Montanes.
The 28-year-old thundered into this ATP World Tour 250 series event and wiped out the opening four games in a row before Montanes could hold on. Darcis then maintained consistency in his game and held his remaining serves, eventually sealing the opener by
winning six games to two.
Ranked 75th in the South African Airways ATP World Rankings, Darcis lost his track towards the follow-up set. He suffered the first blow in the second game and went 3-0 down. However, the Belgian re-focused after that and went on a five-game rampage
to go 5-3 up. He then held his serve once more and clicked the set with a 6-4 win.
All in all, the Liege native produced almost an equal first serve share of 53 per cent but impressively availed 20 out of 29 points on it. He also committed fewer unforced errors and smashed five aces to earn the limelight.
Next challenge for the Belgian is the top seed, Janko Tipsarevic, who received a bye into the opening round after being the top four seed at this tournament.
The Spanish contestant, Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, will accompany Darcis in the following round. He registered a 6-2, 6-3 victory against his compatriot, Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo, in almost one a half hour to advance at this outdoor event.
Garcia-Lopez was broken once but capitalised on five out of nine break chances to pocket the match. He also hammered seven aces and amazingly marked 22 out of 29 points on his better first serve share.
Garcia-Lopez will next face the fourth seed, Pablo Andujar, who also received a first round bye.
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