Tim Smyczek bags an easy win; Rik De Voest retires in the 3rd set – Farmers Classic 2011
Farmers Classic 2011 heated up when its first round of the main draws started off on 25th July 2011. The final round qualifiers also had its ending on Monday as Rik De Voest of South Africa came against Tim Smyczek, the home player, in a 3 setter match ending with disappointment for the South African. As the there was an American player on the Hard Circuit, there was a huge crowd at the LA Tennis Centre to cheer him up. The match lasted one hour and 24 minutes.
The 23-year-old local has been playing international tennis since 2006 but unfortunately has not had any electrifying impact from his performances. Currently ranked as World No.211, Smyczek had highest career ratings at world No.158.
On the contrary, Rik De Voest has been a comparatively better player that his opponent for the match. The 31-year-old has been a member of the South African Davis Cup team as well. The right hander has been playing tennis since 1999 and has a large pool of experience to draw from.
The match started off with Rik serving for the opener and rolled the score card 1-0. The South African dominated in the first set with 71 percent of his 1st serve winnings and 67 percent from his 2nd. The 31-year-old had an equally good average in his returners.
Thirty six percent of the 1st serve returner and 62 percent of the 2nd serve won him crucial points. With a total of 31 points inclusive of 18 service and 13 return points, the old man bagged the set 6-4 to lead 1-0 in the match.
The second set was once again served first by the South African and led the score card initially 1-0. However, the young 23 year old home boy has his weapons loaded as he broke the South African three times out of four chances.
The home boy did not let his rival win a single 2nd serve point in the set and won the set with 31 points which included 17 service points and 14 returners to end the set 4-6 and level the scores to 1-1.
The final set did not take much time as the South African was already limping at the end of the second set. Rik retired from the match after the first game, won by the local favourite, to give away the win and walk back home. The match ended up 6-4, 4-6, 0-1 with Rik retiring.
With the easy win in the final qualifier, the 23-year-old has a happy seat in the main draws of the Farmers Classic 2011. His first match of the event is against another compatriot qualifier, Daniel Kosakowski.
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