Rusedski makes solid start

Greg Rusedski
14 April 2012

Greg Rusedski made a perfect start to his Wimbledon challenge when he strolled through the first set of his first round match against Spain's Alberto Martin.

The British number two set the tone with an ace to win the first point of the match and he promptly broke Martin's first service game to take control.

The Spaniard, a confirmed clay-courter who has only once won back-to-back matches on grass, struggled to contain his opponent's crisp volleys and superior aggression and Rusedski clinched the set 6-3.

Rusedski, whose best performance at Wimbledon remains his quarter-final appearance in 1997, was made to fight in the second set as Martin began to read his service.

The Spaniard had a break point in the fourth game but Rusedski responded with three consecutive aces, one a smoking 136mph which was reminiscent of the days when he was the most fearsome server in the game.

Rusedski saved another break point in the eighth game but the pressure was beginning to mount and Martin produced a fabulous forehand top-spin lob to break the Rusedski service in the 10th game to take the set 6-4 and level up the match at one set each.

Rusedski, stung by his carelessness in the second set, promptly increased his energy levels and his determination, breaking Martin's first two service games in the third set.

He also produced a superbly deft drop shot to storm into a 4-0 lead as he began to play the best tennis of the match.

And while Martin, whose best showing at Wimbledon was a third round appearance in 1997, picked off Rusedski with the odd ripping forehand, the Briton was always the more consistent - serving another ace to take the set 6-2 and control of the match at two sets to one.

Rusedski, courtesy of a series of powerful groundstrokes, broke the Martin serve at the start of the fourth set.

The Spaniard was beginning to look dispirited against a man who has won 14 career titles and who knows his way around a grass court even if the legs are not as athletic as once they were.

Rusedski, whose groundstrokes were punishing on both wings, reeled off games in swift fashion and finally wrapped up a 6-3 4-6 6-2 6-1 victory when Martin sprayed another wild forehand into the tramlines.

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