Tim Smyczek tops Izak Van Der Merwe to reach quarters – JSM Challenger 2012
Local challenger, Tim Smyczek, trashed the South African contender, Izak Van Der Merwe, in straight sets at the JSM Challenger of Champaign 2012 on Wednesday. He nudged up a 6-2, 6-4 victory against the Johannesburg native to book a spot in the final eight at this ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) Challenger Tour event taking place in Champaign in Illinois, United States.
Seeded sixth in this event, Smyczek took down the South African in their third meeting in a challenger event this season. Van Der Merwe bagged the match in their first meeting at the Sacramento Challenger last month. However, the American remained focused and avenged his loss at the Knoxville Challenger last week. After carving out the victory in Champaign, Smyczek comfortably booked a spot in the quarter-finals.
Smyczek made a strong entry at this hard court tournament. He drew the first blood in the third game and leaped to a 3-1 lead. After Van Der Merwe plucked his serve in the fifth game, the American unveiled his true class and reeled off the last three games. He blocked the lone breakpoint he faced to keep his entire serves and cashed two out of five break chances to inch towards glory.
Ranked 152nd in the South African Airways ATP World Tour Rankings, Smyczek carried his rhythm in the following set. He got the critical break in the seventh game and took a 4-3 lead. The American squandered his edge in the very next game but availed another break opportunity in the ninth game, eventually clicking the set by winning six games to four.
The 24-year-old prevailed throughout the battle. He juggled up a first 71 per cent of first serve in contrast with his opponent’s Van Der Merwe’s 60 per cent and amazingly clinched 25 out of 36 points on it.
Smyczek will lock horns with the Australian contender, John-Patrick Smith, in straight sets to set-up this meeting.
Earlier that day, the British contender, Alex Bogdanovic, also stole the show. He upset third seeded Denis Kudla in straight sets to progress. The Brit lost his serve once but cashed five out of nine break chances to seal the victory.
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