Tim Smyczek overpowers Rhyne Williams to enter title-round – JSM Challenger 2012
Sixth seed, Tim Smyczek, took down his compatriot, Rhyne Williams, in straight sets at the JSM Challenger of Champaign 2012, an ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) Challenger Tour event taking place in their home soil. He penned down a 7-5, 6-3 success
over the world number 217 to charge into the final showdown on Friday.
The seeded American displayed superb skills to halt Williams’ impressive run at this event. After earning the fame in one hour and 46 minutes, Smyczek comfortably entered the final round and moved a step closer towards the prize money.
The Milwaukee native made a dismal entry at this hard court tournament. He suffered the first blow in the opening game and fell at 0-2. However, Smyczek remained focused and plucked his break back in the fourth game. He got the breakthrough in the last game
and clicked the opener with a 7-5 win. The seed brushed off one out of two breakpoints he came across and converted two out of seven break chances to his advantage.
Ranked 152nd in the South African Airways ATP World Tour Rankings, Smyczek lifted his game in the following set. He drew the first blood in the second game and cruised to a 3-0 lead. The higher ranked American held his composure and bagged his
remaining serves, eventually sealing the set by winning six games to three. He was never threatened with any obstacle and capitalised on one out of three break chances to steal the spotlight.
On the whole, Smyczek withstood nine aces and ended the match with 83 points. He nudged up a better first serve share of 67 per cent as compared to his rival’s 56 per cent and amazingly clinched 34 out of 45 points on it.
Up next for the 24-year-old is his seventh seeded compatriot, Jack Sock. The lower seed trashed Great Britain’s Alex Bogdanovic in straight sets to progress. He was broke twice but availed four out of five break opportunities to formulate a 6-4, 6-3 score
line. Sock smashed nine aces and superbly clicked 29 out of 34 points on his lower first serve share of 60 per cent.
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