Tim Smyczek plonks John-Patrick Smith to enter semis – JSM Challenger 2012
Local rising star, Tim Smyczek, dumped the Australian challenger, John-Patrick Smith, in straight sets at the JSM Challenger of Champaign 2012 on Thursday. He jolted down a 7-5, 7-6(0) victory over the world number 246 to progress into the final four at
this ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) Challenger Tour event taking place in Champaign in Illinois, United States.
Smyczek showed brilliant skills to outsmart the left-handed Aussie in their third challenger tour meeting. After bagging the match in one hour and 53 minutes, the American avenged his loss at this event last season against the 23-year-old and secured a place
in the semi-finals.
The 24-year-old made a drastic entry at this hard court tournament. He suffered the first blow in the fourth game and eventually fell at 1-4. However, Smyczek stayed calm and recovered in the seventh game, subsequently levelling the scores at 4-4. He then
got the breakthrough in the second last game and sealed the opener by winning seven games to five.
Ranked 152nd in the South African Airways ATP World Tour Rankings, Smyczek carried his rhythm in the following set. He again lost his serve early in the set and went 0-3 down. However, the seed made a fitting replay and after breaking his rival’s
serve twice, he took a 5-4 lead. The American failed to serve out the set in the following game but dominated in the tie-breaker, eventually clicking the set with a 7-6(0) win.
The Milwaukee native coughed more unforced errors but clobbered a better first serve share of 68 per cent as compared to his rival’s 66 per cent. He impressively marked 40 out of 59 points on it and ended the match with 97 points. The American amazingly
warded off six out of nine breakpoints he came across and converted four out of 11 break chances to his advantage.
Smyczek will square off against his compatriot, Rhyne Williams, who stunned fourth seeded Ryan Sweeting, in straight sets to set up this battle. Williams was never threatened with any barrier and cashed two out of three break chances to manipulate a 7-6(4),
6-2 score line in one hour and 32 minutes.
Tags: