Go Soeda overpowers Xavier Malisse to reach round two – BB&T Atlanta Open 2012
Japanese number one, Go Soeda, bounced back to outsmart the Belgian star, Xavier Malisse, in a three-set mouth-watering match at the BB&T Atlanta Open 2012 on Tuesday. He hit back to formulate a 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 victory against the Florida resident to charge
into the second round at the Atlantic Station in Johns Creek, Georgia.
The eight seed, Soeda, required almost two and a half hour-long marathon to dump Malisse in their first encounter at this ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) World Tour 250 series tournament. Meeting each other for the first time, the Japanese not
only edged in the head-to-head series by 1-0 against the world number 71 but also inched closer towards his maiden career title.
The 31-year-old Belgian high-spiritedly entered this outdoor hard court tournament and held his opening serve with poise. He maintained consistency in his game and swiftly bagged his remaining serves without facing any breakpoint. Malisse cashed in the lone
break chance and clicked the opener with a 6-4 win.
Soeda rebounded in the second set and got in action. He plucked his entire serves after blocking both breakpoints he came across and capitalised on one out of six break chances, subsequently carving out the equaliser by winning seven games to five.
Ranked 54th in the South African Airways ATP World Tour Rankings, Soeda kept momentum rolling in the final set which matter the most. He kept his entire serves without facing any hindrance. The Japanese got the breakthrough in the seventh game
after cashing in one out of three break opportunities and pocketed the decider with a 6-4 score line.
All in all, the Japanese seed faced 14 aces but clobbered a better first serve share of 56 per cent as opposed to Malisse’s 49 per cent. He also amazingly claimed 47 out of 61 points on it and finished the match with 103 points.
Soeda will square off against Russia’s Igor Kunitsyn who battled past the local wildcard entrant, Brian Baker, in a three-set thriller to set up this battle. The Russian was broken twice but capitalised on half of the eight break chances to conquer Baker.
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