Kurumi Nara, Su- Wei Hsieh make it to the semi-finals – Beijing International Challengers 2011
Japanese tennis pro Kurumi Nara secured a comfortable 7-6 (4), 6-0 victory over compatriot Yurika Sema on Friday to book her place in the semi-final round of 2011 Beijing International Challengers tournament here in Beijing, China.
The Italian tennis-pro looked in commanding touch in a match that lasted for only 1 hour and 38 minutes on the hard courts of Beijing Tennis Centre. Looking to attack her opponent, Nara created all sorts of problems for her opponent
with strong ground strokes.
Unseeded at the ITF level tournament, Nara made an aggressive start to the match. Sema on the other hand committed a large number of unforced errors in the opener to let her opponent dictate the terms. Despite having several break
opportunities during the set, she failed to convert any of them.
Nara took complete advantage of her opponent’s inability to score easy points and established complete control over the match. Although she suffered a serve break in one of the games, she broke straight back event the games score.
Trailing 4-5 in the set, Nara converted her second break chance to force the match set into tie-breaker. Showing no signs of nerves, she clinched the tie-breaker 6-4 to take 1-0 in the set score.
Nara continued to play her natural game with freedom in the second set as well, as she did not allow the Japanese to breath. Breaking the serve at regular intervals, she raced to an impassable lead. The Italian had no problems
converting her third and final service game of the set as she ended the match in style.
Having put her opponent under extreme pressure, Nara did not look back as she smashed her admirable forehand and backhand winners all over the court. Her well directed and powerful serving played a big part in deciding the outcome
of the match. Hitting an impressive 69 per cent first serve, she took control of the rallies and then executed her drop shots to perfection. She will be looking to carry on in same fashion in her upcoming semi-final match as well.
In another match at the tournament, Su Wei Hsieh of Chinese Taipei eased past Varatchaya Wongteanchai of Thainland 6-1, 6-3 to move ahead.
Wei Hsieh made a shaky start to the match as she made unexpected errors early in the opening set. However, breaking the serve in fourth game, she took a crucial 3-1 lead. Clinching three straight games, she pocketed the opening
set. The second set also followed a similar pattern as Wei Hsieh broke her opponent three times to complete her straight sets victory.
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