Go Soeda hits back at Ivan Dodig in the first round – Davis Cup WG
Japanese star, Go Soeda, made an epic comeback from two sets down to overpower the Croatian star, Ivan Dodig, in a five set epic at the David Cup 2012 on Friday. The hosts clobbered a 6-7(3), 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, 7-5 victory to lead their country by 1-0 against
the Croatian team in the first round at the Bourbon Beans Dome in Hyogo, Japan.
The Japanese veteran put up a solid display of tennis on the Japanese hard courts and gave his side an edge against Croatia. Both stars previously met each other at the Chennai ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) World Tour 250 series event and after
ea ring this success, Soeda maintained his winning record against the Croat.
World number 55, Dodig assertively entered the opening set and with an exchange of serve break, he dragged the set to a tie-breaker. The Croat outclassed Soeda in it and eventually clinched the opener with a 7-6(3) score line.
The 27-year-old kept his momentum into the following set and smoothly held his serve in the first game. Despite suffering the first blow, he not only recovered but also pocketed the set with a 6-3 win after earning the breakthrough in the eighth game.
Ranked 90th in the South African Airways ATP World Tour rankings, Soeda re-focused in the third set. He lost his serve in the opening game but quickly counterattacked in the very next game. The Japanese then maintained consistency in his game
slid in remaining serves. In the end, Soeda cashed in on another break chance and won the set with a 6-4 score line.
The lower ranked Japanese stayed in shape at the fourth set. He got the desiderated break in the second game and ultimately went 3-0 up before the Croat could hold on. Despite losing his serve in the fifth game, Soeda cashed in another break chance towards
the end and bagged the equaliser by winning six games to three.
The match was standing on a knife edge but the local star was the one to keep his rhythm. He comfortably swiped in entire serves and got the breakthrough in the eleventh game, subsequently sealing the decider with a 7-5 win.
Tags: