Yusuke Watanuki bounces over Chu-Huan Yi in the second qualifying round – Toyota Challenger 2012 CH
Right-hander, Yusuke Watanuki, overcame the Chinese Taipei native, Chu-Huan Yi, in the second qualifying round of the 2012 Dunlop World Challenger Tennis Tournament held at the carpet courts of Taraflex, Japan.
After a tough battle the local challenger was able to prove his worth and mark his triumph, 7-6(1), 7-6(4) on the eve of Saturday in 1 hour and 38 minutes.
The 25-year-old Chinese began a brilliant start of the opening set, and provided his challenger with a tough contest. He tirelessly battled through the set and the score line squared down until the end. Both the players re-ignited their spark to win and
struggled to cash every opportunity against the other. The Japanese professional unleashed his true potential but his competitor proved to be of equal worth. The two players held their serves the entire time. After a tough battle through the tiebreaker, the
Japanese junior skilfully consolidated his 7-6(1) lead.
In the second set, the former loss completely crumbled the hopes of the left-handed Taipei professional, Yi. To the excessive pressure, he was unable to withstand his rival’s pressure and he effortlessly gifted the first three games.
Nonetheless, he was fortunate enough to capture his earlier battle when he cashed on his competitors serve in the fifth game and levelled down the score down to 3-all in the very next game. After that point, there was no turning back for the Chinese contender
and he progressed till the end with a strong resolve to avenge his former loss. The two contestants fiercely nudged each other after every alternate game, pulling out of the set with a 7-6(4) after a breath taking tiebreaking round.
The 22-year-old Japanese had a relatively better initial serve accuracy of 73 percent, converting 22 of 32 first and six of 12 second delivery points. He was only able to snatch one of the five serve break opportunities and similarly his rival attained one
from four. The Chinese senior lost the win as he committed six double faults but also smashed four aces. He had an average initial serve of 53 percent with just 17 of 23 first and eight of 20 second delivery points in retaliation.
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