Written by Michael Thervil
Today is the first day of the Fayez Sarofim & Co. ATP 250 U.S. Men's Clay Court Championship tournament and it's off to a great start. Today there will be 8 matches going today which started sharply at 2:00pm at the River Oaks Country Club located in Houston Texas. With two matches happening simultaneously throughout the day spectators were definitely in for a treat. The first match-up was a singles match between Cristian Garin and Alexander Ritschard on the stadium court while the second match, a double featured Nicolas Barrientos and Rithvik Choudary Bollipalli facing off against Rafael Matos and Marcelo Zormann.
Looking at the first match between Cristian Garin and Alexander Ritschard, it would be Cristian Garin who would come out on top. With 8/9 (89%) net points won in contrast to Alexander Ritschard earned 8/14 (57%) it was far from a close call between the two players. Cristian Garin had 24 winners to Alexander Ritschard 16. Looking at the unforced errors, Cristian Garin had 17 while Alexander Ritschard had 25. Moving on to service points won, this is the first and only time where Alexander Ritschard took the lead. Return points for Crisitian Garin stood at 30/75 (40%) to Alexander Ritschard’s 11/51(22%). The total points won between the two players were finalized at Cristian Garin earning a 70/126 (56%) to Alexander Ritschard 56/126(44%).
For the double which featured players Nicolas Barrientos, Rithvik Choudary Bollipalli , Rafael Matos and Marcelo Zormann, it looks like team Brazil came out on top. Again looking at the point stats, Nicolas Barrientos and Rithvik Choudary Bollipalli 38//58 (66%) service points which wasn't enough to keep up with Rafael Matos and Marcelo Zormann who were up 42/60 (70%) in this area. When it came to return points won, it would be Rafael Matos and Marcelo Zormann who came out on top of Nicolas Barrientos, Rithvik Choudary Bollipalli who obtained 20/58 (34%). The total points won by Rafael Matos and Marcelo Zormann registered as 62/118 (53%) with Nicolas Barrientos and Rithvik Choudary Bollipalli Rithvik Choudary Bollipalli coping 56/118 (47%).
For the second single match game of the day, it was kicked by Taro Daniel vs. there were a lot of “oohs and awes” throughout this match-up by the crowd in attendance. Taro Daniel did not fare well against Jenson Brooksby with 3/8 (38%) net points won to Jenson Brooksby 5/7 (71%) net points won. Taro Daniel’s had 12 winners to Jenson Brooksby's whopping 22. It should be said that Jenson Brooksby played very aggressively and in doing so he obtained 41/53 service points to the tune of 77%. While Taro Daniels obtained 40/66 at 61%. Taro Daniel’s also had 22 unforced errors while Jenson Brooksby only had 16. When it came to return points won, Jenson Brooksby earned 26/66 (39%) while Taro Daniels copped 12/53 at (44%).
For the second double for the day, the match-up between Robert Galloway and Jackson Withrow vs. Michael Mmoh and Frances Tiafoe was a really good head-to-head match-up and one of the most watched matches of the day. Robert Galloway and Jackson Withrow defeated contenders Jackson Withrow and Michael Mmoh. Although Michael Mmoh and Frances Tiafoe fared well when it came to service points won at 24/43 (56%), it would be Michael Mmoh and Frances Tiafoe that dominated them in this area standing at 36/45 (80%).
Michael Mmoh and Frances Tiafoe also led when it came to return points won with 19/43 for 44% while Robert Galloway and Jackson Withrow ended up with 9/45 (20%). This is clearly not their best game, but it’s the game they play none-the-less today. Michael Mmoh and Frances Tiafoe did however fall behind when it came to total points won standing at 33/88 (38%) while Robert Galloway and Jackson Withrow excelled in this area standing at 55/88 (63%).
In the Single match Aleksandar Kovacevic vs Tomas Martin Etcheverry, both players played well – like any other match within this tournament. The point stats between these two players are as follows: Aleksandar Kovacevic 46/65 (71%) when it came to total service points, won. Tomas Martin Etcheverry stood at 35/52 (67%) for total service points won. Aleksandar Kovacevic earned 17/52 (33%) for total return points won, while Tomas Martin Etcheverry stood at 19/65 (29%). Aleksandar Kovacevic also stood at 63/117 (54%) for total points won against Tomas Martin Etcheverry’s 54/117 (46%). Aleksandar Kovacevic had 26 unforced errors and 27 winners, while Tomas Martin Etcheverry stood at 12 unforced errors and 16 winners.
The last match of the night was between Brandon Holt vs. Corentin Denolly . The winner of this match was Brandon Holt. Stat wise, Corentin Denolly proved to be a bit of a challenge for Brandon holt. Corentin Denolly led in terms of net points won 11/15 (73%) while Brandon Holt stood at 8/14 (60%). In the winners category Corentin Denolly also led with 45 to Brandon Holt’s 32. Looking at unforced errors, Corentin Denolly also was up with 43 to Brandon Holt's 26. Brandon Holt stood at service points with 60/89 (67%) while Corentin Denolly stood at 69/109 (63%). In the return points won category, it would be Brandon Holt who led with 40/109 (37%) to Corentin Denolly 29/89 (33%). Lastly when it came to total points won, it would be Brandon Holt who led with 100/198 (51%) to Corentin Denolly who stood at 98/198 (49%).
These are the results of all the matches that took place today and we will continue our coverage of Fayez Sarofim & Co. ATP 250 U.S. Men's Clay Court Championship tournament as the best of the best players advance round after round until one reigns supreme over all.
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