Rohan Bopanna submits to Go Soeda in the second round qualifiers – Aircel Chennai Open 2012
Japan’s Go Soeda took down the Indian home favourite, Rohan Bopanna, in straight sets, 7-6(2), 7-6(2), in the second round of the qualifying draw of the Chennai Open on Sunday. The Japanese moves into the qualifying competition
and need just one more victory to enter the main rounds of the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) World Tour 250 event.
With the first set in progress, Bopanna showed his dominance by scoring 4 aces while Soeda could not deliver any. Bopanna was impressive his precise serve throughout the match but conceded 3 double faults in the process. The first
serve winning ratio was nearly equal for both contestants; with Bopanna winning 54% of his serves while Soeda having 48%. It was interesting to note that although Bopanna’s aces were way higher than Soeda’s, yet the Bopanna lagged behind with his first serves.
Bopanna won 65% points from his first serve while Soeda won 76% points.
Both players remained head to head throughout the first set and tried to prove their dominance. Bopanna won two out of three breakpoints he had, while Soeda won one out of his two chances. Both men were cruising along, winning
all of their games which took the set into a tie breaker. Bopanna made all his effort to win the set but Soeda reigned supreme to win the set 7-6(2) in the end.
As the second began, Soeda was looking to seal the set with his aggressive game play but once again Bopanna was on the front foot and playing good offensive match. The Indian was showing a gutsy performance as he scored 10 aces,
again intimidating Soeda with his serve games. The Japanese could only score with 5 aces and tried to remain in the lead. After the first set went into a tie-breaker, the players were not in the mood to play another one and their service games were consistent
and cautiously played. They conceded only 1 double fault in the second set which reflected their decent game play.
With the second set being the decisive one, the players were showing aggression on the court as they won a higher percentage with their first serves. Bopanna won 76% points from his first serve while Soeda won 82% points. The players
were also resilient in defending the breakpoints the faced, as both of them saved all of their breakpoints. The second set also entered into a tie-breaker and Soeda eventually won 7-6(2) to made his way into the next round of the championship.
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