Viktor Troicki destroys Pere Riba in 2nd round – Kremlin Cup 2011
Seeded second, Viktor Troicki, Serbian world No.16, had an easy winning over his 2nd round competitor of the Kremlin Cup 2011, Pere Riba, Spanish world No.78, as the two clashed out at the Olympic Stadium, Moscow, Russia
today, Wednesday, 19th October. Battling out for an hour and 23 minutes, the higher ranked Serbian walk off winning 6-4, 6-4 what rather seemed more of a practice match.
The Spaniard had been successful on clay court; however, he was no match for the top ranked player on the blue circuit. Although Troicki did not click in his last 10 matches, he still was good enough to outgun any lower ranked
player.
Firing off first, Riba opened up the set and the match serving out game 1 to roll down the scoreboard, 1-0. Troicki followed with a superb backhand winner to level the scores, 1-1, switching the serve back to the Spaniard. Saving
a crucial breakpoint, the Spaniard continued to bag winners to lead the set, 2-1.
Levelling up each time the Spaniard took lead, Troicki equalled up at 2-2 and then on 3-3 before striking the last blow. Serving out game 8, 4-4, the Serbian stuck hard breaking the Spaniard in game 9 with a marvellous volley and
served out the last game, game 10, pocketing the set, 6-4, to lead the match.
With the first set in his bag, Troicki stood to return first as Riba served out the opener of set 2. Levelling up in no time, Troicki returned perfectly. With the two rallying out games, levelled up at 2-2 and then at 3-3 before
Troicki broke his challenger for the first time in the set, 4-3, and served out the next game, 5-3.
With just one win required to captivate the set and the match, world No.16, Troicki, served out one of the two last games to finish off winning the set, 6-4, and the match in straight easy sets.
Statistically, Troicki had well distinguished first serve percentage as well as the points he won from them. With eleven aces in total, the 25-year-old totalled 73 point including 44 service points and 29 returners for his win.
Through into the quarter-final of Kremlin Cup 2011, the Serbian 25-year-old will now play against the winner of the match between Alex Bogomolov, American, and Mikhail Kukushkin of Kazakhstan to battle out for the semis seat.
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