Asian Games tennis latest; Denis Istomin beats Go Soeda in the semifinal round
Uzbek tennis sensation Denis Istomin proved too strong for third seed Go Soeda of Japan in the semi-final of the Asian Games men’s singles event on Monday, as he overpowered him in straight sets 6-1, 6-0.
The tournament’s top seed Istomin, who achieved his career-high ranking of world number thirty-nine in August this year, is currently coached by his mother. The right-hander broke into the world’s top 200 in 2005 after turning professional, before finishing the year at number 196 in the world.
Istomin, who looked in complete control of his game right from the start of the match against Soeda on Monday, started off his 2010 campaign by competing at the Aircel Chennai Open. He suffered an opening round defeat in Chennai at the hands of Dudi Sela in straight sets 6-1, 6-2.
The right-hander next played at the year’s first Grand Slam, the Australian Open in Melbourne. In the opening round, Istomin defeated Jeremy Chardy in a three-set clash 6-2, 6-2, 6-0. He next overpowered Michael Berrer, once again in three sets, before falling to the world number three Novak Djokovic of Serbia 1-6, 1-6, 2-6.
Currently ranked at number forty in the South African Airways ATP rankings, Istomin reached his first ATP semi-final at the 2010 SAP Open Men’s Singles Tournament in San Jose. After getting the better of Ryan Harrison in his opening match, the Uzbek went on to defeat two well known players, Tommy Haas and Philipp Kohlschreiber on his way to his first semi-final appearance. There, he was surpassed by the second seed Fernando Verdasco in a tough three set clash 3-6, 6-2, 4-6.
At the year’s final major, the U.S. Open in New York, Denis swept aside Maximo Gonzalez in the first round, before losing to top seed and world number one Rafael Nadal in the next round 6-2, 7-6, 7-5. As a result of this early exit, the Uzbek’s ranking dropped down to number forty two in the world.
His form and game however are looking quite convincing at the moment. After making his way into the final in China, Istomin will take on India’s Devraman Somdev for the gold medal on Tuesday. Commenting on his opponent ahead of the final Istomin said, "I have played against Somdev a couple of times before. He is very hard to beat.”
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