Xavier Malisse cripples Nicolas Meister to enter pre-quarters – Farmers Classic 2012
Fifth seed, Xavier Malisse of Belgium, devastated the local qualifier, Nicolas Meister, with a breadstick at the Farmers Classic 2012 on Tuesday. He juggled up a 6-4, 6-1 victory against the 23-year-old to cruise into the second round at this Emirates Airline US Open Series tournament taking place in Los Angeles, California.
The Belgian star snapped out from his four-match opening round losing streak at the Los Angeles Tennis Center. He crushed the lowest ranked player at the qualifying competition of this tournament in straight sets and convincingly powered into the round of 16.
"In the first set, I was trying to find my game," said the delighted Belgian in a courtside interview after the match. "In the second set I played really well. Hopefully I can keep this up. I didn't know my opponent's game, but I remembered that I had hit with him before. He's a good player who hangs in. Now that I'm getting older, maybe I'm not thinking so much on court and letting it flow. The grass season was good for me, but I'm still a bit tired."
Malisse, who is coming from a first round exit at the BB&T Atlanta Open last week, made a strong entry at this ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) World Tour 250 series event. He drew the first blood in the opening game and quickly jumped to a 2-0 lead. Apart from losing his edge in the eighth game and levelling the scores, the Belgian got the breakthrough in the very next game and then served out the opener with a 6-4 win. He sought 10 break chances and converted two to his advantage.
The 72nd ranked Malisse went berserk in the following set and went on a four-game tear before the American could hold on. He maintained consistency in his game and after bagging the last two games, the Belgian plucked the set with a breadstick. He blocked the lone breakpoint he encountered and cashed in all three break chances to earn the glory.
Malisse will square off against the Australian contender, Matthew Ebden, who bounced back to overpower Michael Berrer in a three-set thriller to set up this encounter.
The Aussie amazingly warded off six out of eight breakpoints he came across but capitalised on three out of 13 break chances, eventually sealing the deal with a 4-6, 6-2, 7-6(4) victory. He committed several double faults but stayed focused to pull out the victory in two hours and eight minutes.
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