Mar 11, 2010

Kyoto Challenger, Japan Update #3

The second round of the singles in Kyoto had Greg facing local Japanese player 25 year-old Go Soeda. Currently ranked 235, Soeda had a high rank of 106 last year, so will be tough opposition.

Greg said he got off to a slow start and did not adjust to the super fast carpet surface quick enough, going down a break early in the set and not being able to recover, losing the 1st set to Soeda 6-2.

In the 2nd set Soeda again broke Greg early and went out to a 2-1 lead. Greg responded and broke back immediately to level at 2-2. He said he started playing really well and held serve easily to get go 4-3 up. He then broke Soeda to lead 5-3, serving out the set 6-3, to level the match at 1-set-all.

The 3rd set went with serve to 3-2 to Soeda. A couple of over played shots saw Greg go to 30-30. He then hit two good 1st serves but Soeda picked them and hit two consecutive return winners to break Greg and go 4-2 up. A good service game by Soeda stretched his lead to 5-2. He put the pressure on Greg, going for his shots, and was able to break Greg again and win the set 6-2 and the match 6-2, 3-6, 6-2.

Greg said his slow start was the difference in the match and that he had played well for most of the match.                   

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