Rafael Nadal wins opening game at Rakuten Japan Open 2010: Tuesday’s Review
Top seed Rafael Nadal of Spain won his opening match of the Rakuten Japan Open 2010 with a two setter victory over Santiago Giraldo from Colombia on Tuesday with a 6-4, 6-4 thrashing at the Ariake Tennis Forest Park in Tokyo.
This win comes as a sigh of relief for the 24-year-old Rafael who was recently defeated by unseeded Guillermo Garcia-Lopez in the semi-final round of the PTT Thailand Open last week.
The world number one prevented two break point opportunities in the decisive set and triumphed in 1 hour and 49 minutes in Tokyo.
Meanwhile, Andy Roddick from the United States of America ousted Tatsuma Ito, a wild card entrant from Japan in two sets on Tuesday with a 6-4, 6-3 score line. The third seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on the other hand was sent back packing by Jarkko Nieminen with
a 6-4, 5-7 and 6-1 score.
Roddick, the 2003 United States Open winner, was contesting in his first clash since falling down in the round two to Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia in New York last month. The 28-year-old Roddick took the opening set when Tatsuma double faulted on a set point.
He had to bounce back from a break down in the following set. Nevertheless, Roddick duly completed his win in 82 minutes with an ace on Tuesday.
Roddick said, “Since New York, I have just been working on getting back my physical shape and I feel that I have been able to do that. He played very well in the first set. It was a little bit uncomfortable, because he hits every ball hard and flat and the
court is very fast, so there wasn't a chance to get into my rhythm.”
The former top ranked tennis player who has been defeated on three occasions in the Wimbledon final by Swiss tennis master Roger Federer further added, "In the second set, I do not think he played as well, however on this quick surface, it is certainly uncomfortable.”
Meanwhile, Rafael, who missed 24 of 26 break point opportunities in his surprise loss versus countrymen Garcia-Lopez, dropped his opening five break point chances before forcing Santiago to mishit a backhand, which put the Spaniard a break up at 3-2.
After denying Santiago his break during the 4th game of the following set, Rafael, champion of six trophies this season, then produced a blistering, trademark forehand winner from the baseline to break during the next game on Tuesday.
Santiago had another opportunity during the 8th game as he smashed a long backhand and though he sent down a total of two aces in the next game to hold serve, Rafael calmly served out to finish the clash.
The Spaniard, however was not satisfied with his serve on Tuesday, "That was not part of the strategy for sure. I started too many games love-30. My serve was the worst it has been for my last eleven or twelve matches. I arrived from Bangkok two days ago
at seven in the morning so I am a little more tired than usual. I have to play with more energy in my next match.”
In other action, 8th seed Michael Llodra from France was dismissed by Marco Chiudinelli in two sets. However, 5th seed Gael Monfils went through with a 7-6 (12-10), 6-4 win over Go Soeda from Japan.
In doubles action, Wimbledon runner ups Horia Tecau and Robert Lindstedt overpowered Eduardo Schwank and Jeremy Chardy in two sets on Tuesday. The final match score was 6-3, 6-3. The clash concluded in a time period of 49 minutes in Tokyo. The third seeds
fired a total of five aces and improved to a match record of 26-11 on the year, which also includes four ATP World Tour crowns.
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