Rika Yamamoto outfoxes Mariana Drazic to enter round two – Djibouti ITF 2012
Japanese challenger, Rika Yamamoto, overpowered the Croatian challenger, Mariana Drazic, in a topsy-turvy three setter at the Djibouti ITF 2012 on Monday. She summed up a 6-4, 1-6, 6-1 victory against the Croat to power into the round of 16 at this ITF (International
Tennis Federation) Women’s Circuit event taking place from 17th to 23rd December in Djibouti.
The Japanese teenager unveiled her true class, eventually carving out the victory in almost two and half hours. She went off track in the second set but remained focused, ultimately bagging the match in their first encounter. As a result, Yamamoto comfortable
progressed into the second round at this outdoor hard court tournament.
Yamamoto assertively entered the Centre de Tennis de Gabode 4. She smoothly held her entire serves with conviction. The Japanese got the breakthrough in the last game and eventually sealed the opener by winning six games to four. She warded off both breakpoints
she came across and cashed the lone break chance to inch towards her goal.
The Croatian youngster made a fitting reply in the following set. She quickly reeled off the opening four games before Yamamoto could come on the score board. Drazic then pocketed the last two games and subsequently clinched the equaliser with a breadstick.
She was never threatened with any hindrances and availed three out of five break chances to get back in contention.
The 17-year-old Japanese sought her old rhythm again in the deciding set. She got the critical break in the second game and took a 2-0 lead. Yamamoto lost her edge in the very next game but went berserk after that, eventually winding up the proceeding four
games. She failed to ward off the only breakpoint she faced but broke her rival’s entire serves after capitalising on three out of six break opportunities.
Overall, the Japanese starlet spilled fewer unforced errors and clobbered a better first serve share to prevail in this match.
Next challenge for Yamamoto is the fifth seed, Yana Sizikova from Russia. The Russian seed received a bye into the second round after being the top eight players at this event.
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