Serve statistic spurs Statham to turn match around

AUCKLAND: Rubin Statham’s incredible ASB Classic win yesterday was the product of new preseason regime, a ton of match play leading into the event and a change in strategy midway through the match — after seeing a dire statistic on the stadium scoreboard.

Statham upset the odds in incredible fashion, beating the world No 25 and sixth seed Hyeon Chung 75, 63 for the biggest win of his career.

For the 31yearold, who is ranked more than 300 places below the Korean (world No 360), it was just his second career victory in an ATP main draw match.

Chung, who reached the Australian Open semifinals last year, beating sixtime champion Novak Djokovic on the way, looked like he was cruising to victory at one point, as he led 51 in the first set against a struggling Statham.

‘‘There is a good percentage of first sets over when you are down 51 but I just hang in there, and clawed my way back as I have done in the past,’’ Statham said.

‘‘I tried to not think about it too much and just execute well. I was honestly thinking about the second set and how I could perform a bit better there and go from there.’’

But the New Zealander found a way back, helped by a startling statistic about his serve, as he glanced up at the scoreboard during a change of ends.

‘‘I sat there and looked up at the screen and saw the points won on second serve percentage — and it was about 18%.

‘‘It was nice to see that statistic on the board . . . that gave me the wakeup call and indicated ‘Let’s make a few first serves here, Rubin, and go from there.’

‘‘It ended up I played some great points to get the break back and things went my way from there.’’

The 31yearold Statham held his nerve at 53 in the second set, serving out the match to the joy of a rapturous crowd.

The players’ balcony was also packed, as players and ATP officials had rushed out to seeing the closing stages, sensing an historic occasion.

In hot afternoon conditions in Auckland, Statham had made a nervous start. He was broken twice and soon found himself down 15, and the set looked all but gone before his dramatic comeback.

The second set was an incredibly tense affair, but the Kiwi

always looked more confident on serve.

A break put him up 52, and though Chung then held to force Statham to serve out, the 31yearold was icecool.

David Ferrer brought his

own unique magic back to the centre court yesterday afternoon, reminding why he has been such a fan favourite over a decade and a half. His 2019 farewell tour started in the best possible fashion, as

the four time champion, who will retire in May after playing his six favourite tournaments, progressed to the second round of the ASB Classic with a comprehensive 62, 61 defeat of Robin Haase.

Playing in the Auckland for the 14th and last time, Ferrer delighted a large crowd with a vintage display, gradually dismantling the Haase game, and by the end the Dutchman was a picture of frustration.