Viktor Troicki defeats Robin Haase to reach the second round – Rakuten Japan Open 2012
Ranked 32nd in the world, Viktor Troicki of Serbia clinched his 25th win of this season by ousting the 51st ranked Dutch player, Robin Haase, in straight sets 6-2, 6-3 in the first round of the
Rakuten Japan Open Tennis Championships in Tokyo.
This ATP World Tour 500 hard court event is a part of the Asian swing that leads to the Masters Series event in Shanghai.
Troicki came roaring in the match, as he grabbed first three games to gain a 3-0 advantage. There was no break of serve in the following four, taking the score to 5-2 in favour of the Serbian. Troicki struck again in the eighth
game and closed the opener 6-2.
The right-hander fired two aces and did not commit any double fault in the first set. The 26-year-old did not lose even a single point on the first deliveries, clinching all the nine on them. He also did a fairly good job on the
second serves and returns, as he secured seven of the nine and seven of the 12 points respectively.
Troicki and Haase won their serve in the first three games of the second set, taking the score to 2-1 in favour of the former. The Serbian number three claimed a breakthrough in the fourth and consolidated on it to move ahead 4-1.
Troicki did not allow the Dutchman to bounce back, closing it 6-3.
The Serbian national put on a superb show on his first serves, bombarding 10 aces and grabbing 19 of the 22 points on them. In comparison, Haase hit only a single one and pocketed 11 of the 16 first delivery points. The Belgian
contestant was unable to convert any of the four break points he received and could not save one of the three he faced in the second set.
Troicki will lock horns with the sixth seed, Milos Raonic of Canada, in the second round. The Canadian, who is highest ranked player ever from his country, defeated the former top 10 player from Czech Republic, Radek Stepanek,
in straight sets 6-4, 6-4 in the first round.
Tags: