Vasek Pospisil, Go Soeda move into main draw – US Open 2011
Canadian Vasek Pospisil survived a mid match lapse against Slovenian Grega Zemlja as he moved into the main draw of the 2011 US Open on Friday, 26th August. Set at the majestic Flushing Meadows, the US Open is the season’s
final Grand Slam event.
Battling for two hours and thirteen minutes, the twentieth seeded Canadian eventually secured a 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(5) victory over the eighth seeded Slovene.
Opening service in the first set, Pospisil managed an amazing 88 percent win on his otherwise meagre 57 percent first serve as he struck three aces and only one double fault. Riding a single break point opportunity in the final
game, Pospisil was able to close out the set with a 6-4 win.
However, what seemed like smooth sailing soon turned into troubled seas as Zemlja fought back in the second set. Down but not out, Zemlja bounced back with excellent defence as he matched blow for blow, overpowering the young Canadian.
With no double faults and no unforced errors, Zemlja hit a near perfect 92 percent win on his first serve including two aces and two winners. Though the pair exchanged break points at one point in the set for a level standing, Zemlja soon raced on ahead as
he converted two more break points to his advantage securing a 6-2 win in the second set.
With a set win apiece, the third set turned into a fight for the survival as both Zemlja and Pospisil engaged in a neck to neck run, matching each other’s every backhand and forehand. A single breakpoint conversion by both the
players, kept the score progressing on equal terms as neither was able to take the lead, soon forcing the set into a tiebreaker. Determined to stay in the game, neither player would let up even in the tiebreaker. It was only on a mini break at 5-5, that Pospisil
secured two straight points and sealed his victory over the higher ranked Slovene.
Pospisil now moves into the main draw of the event where he will play Czech Lukas Rosol.
Joining Pospisil in the main draw of the event as the final and sixteenth qualifier was Japanese Go Soeda. The ninth seeded Japanese continued his smooth sailing in the qualifying draw as he met and defeated Aussie Greg Jones in
the final qualifying round on Friday.
In a match that lasted for only ninety four minutes, Soeda secured a twin 6-3, 6-3 victory over the unseeded Aussie. Achieving an acceptable 55 percent first serve accuracy, Soeda secured a respectable 77 percent win on it including
three aces and winners to match. Soeda was able to convert four of eight break point opportunities to his advantage as he gained acceptance into the main draw. Soeda will play South African Kevin Anderson in his opening round match.
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