Go Soeda tumbles over Samuel Groth to reach the quarters – 2012 Green World ATP Challenger
Top seeded Go Soeda dumped the Australian rising star, Samuel Groth, in straight sets at the 2012 Green World ATP Challenger on Thursday. He penned down a 7-6(3), 6-3 score line against the 24-year-old to book a place in the final eight at this ATP (Association
of Tennis Professionals) Challenger Tour event held in Pingguo, China.
The Japanese star warded off early resistance to pull out the victory in 91 minutes against Groth. As a result, Soeda confidently marched into the quarter-finals at this hard court event.
Both players played their best tennis in the opening set. Groth smacked 12 ferocious aces and produced a better first serve share of 65 per cent. He also found eight break opportunities and dominated all over the court.
The 27-year-old on the other hand showed spectacular defensive skills as he blocked all breakpoints he encountered. However, he failed to seek any break chance and dragged the set to a tie-breaker. Soeda cruised to a 6-1 lead in it before pulling out the
opener with a 7-6(3) win.
Ranked 77th in the South African Airways ATP World Tour Rankings, Soeda raised the bar of his game in the follow-up set. He jumped to 3-0 after cashing in the lone break opportunity to his advantage. The Japanese then held his remaining serves
and clinched the set with a 6-3 score line.
Overall, the unseeded Aussie hammered 18 aces and clobbered an equal first serve share of 63 per cent. However, he failed to convert any of his break opportunities to his advantage, eventually exiting from this tournament with disappointment.
Next in queue for the top seed is another Australian contender, Benjamin Mitchell. The seventh seeded Aussie bounced back from a set down to outsmart America’s Kevin Kim in two hours and 20 minutes. The 19-year-old lost his serve four times but cashed in
seven out of 16 break opportunities to seal the match with a 6-7(1), 6-3, 6-4 score line. He spilled more unforced errors but manipulated a higher first serve share of 61 per cent as compared to Kim’s 52 per cent. Mitchell then superbly availed 40 out of 58
points on it to earn the glory.
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