Go Soeda outdoes Dudi Sela in the opening rubber – Davis Cup World Group Play-off 2012
Japanese number two, Go Soeda, stunned the Israeli number one, Dudi Sela, in a four-set thriller at the Davis Cup World Group Play-off 2012 on Friday. He notched up a 6-2, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 victory at his home soil for an early lead. However, Tatsuma Ito lost
his match and eventually levelled the scores against Israel.
The local contender showed awe-inspiring skills to outclass Sela for the first time in their fourth meeting. As a result, he not only avenged his loss at the Busan Challenger last season but also gave confidence boost to his team.
Soeda commented after stealing the limelight:
"I knew I had to win. I couldn't lose. I was under pressure to show my best. It was a tough match and a big win for me. I was tired in the third set and then Sela started playing really well. Then in the fourth set I started playing aggressively again and
was able to get it back."
"The start of the match was tough," noted the Israeli. "I was short with my balls and he was aggressive. I felt better in the second set, but he was solid and didn't give me any free points."
The 28-year-old made a drastic entry at the Ariake Coliseum in Tokyo Japan. He suffered the first blow in the opening game to trail at 0-1. However, he made a stunning reply and not only recovered in the very next game but broke Sela’s serve twice again
to clobber a 6-2 success.
Ranked 53rd in the South African Airways ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) World Tour Rankings, Soeda carried his winning ways in the following set despite losing his opening serve again. He snatched his break back in the sixth game and
got the breakthrough in the last game, eventually sealing the set by winning six games to four.
The 27-year-old on the other side re-focused in the third set. He swiftly bagged his entire serves and broke Soeda’s serve twice to click the set with a 6-3 win. Sela took full advantage of the Japanese fatigue and ended the set as a better contestant.
Soeda re-structured again in the proceeding set. He plucked his entire serves without facing much difficult. The Japanese required a single break of serve in the fifth game to pull out the victory with a 6-4 score line.
The Japanese team is looking forward to prevail in the doubles rubber in order to have an edge over the Israeli team.
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