Nadal eases through the second term

"LandepNews"

Nadal eases through the second term

Defending champion Rafa Nadal has made an easy progress through the second term of the Japanese event after beating Go Soeda in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2 to play Milos Raonic in the next round.
Winner of three titles this year in Monte Carlo, Barcelona and at the French Open, Nadal needed one hour and 31 minutes to advance through, dominating the game at all facets against the world number 118. The Spaniard broke the Japanese twice in the opener which saw him give his opponent no chance to build a break chance, as well. Nadal also provided an impressive 92 first serve percentage in the opener, something which allowed him to keep Go three games adrift.
The second set looked almost the same for the top seeder who grabbed a couple of more breaks and save three break points from Soeda who couldn’t provide the surprise of the week. Overall, Rafa finished the game with a 85 first serve percentage, three aces and four break point conversions out of eight tries.
He also won 67 percent of service points and 48 of receiving ones, compared to his opponent who came up with a 57 first serve percentage and a poor 33 return one. Soeda managed to win just 48 points out of 112 played and Nadal won 64 points.
“I think I played a good match, better than I thought ahead of the match. My serve was better than I thought because ahead of the tournament it was so-so. For me, the balls were a little heavy so I found it tricky to hit my forehand topspin. My next match against Raonic will be really tough,” said Nadal after the game.
Next up for Nadal is Milos Raonic who had a hard life against Yuichi Sugita whom the Canadian edged after surviving an early scare, 6-7, 6-3, 7-6. The two exchanged just a couple of breaks in the first term but it was the Japanese to win the breaker at four, something which allowed him to draw half of victory. Unfortunately, Sugita lost the pace in the second term when he conceded another service without being able to counter balance the situation with a break.
Raonic thus went two games atop to push the game into a tight third set which saw the two hold their serves consistently as the decider needed yet another tie break to provide the winner. The tie break saw the Canadian set the pace and control the run at all facets. Raonic only conceded one point, closing the meeting with a 7-1 late rally.
Raonic, who fired 16 aces past the Japanese, finished the clash with a 76 first serve percentage, a couple of double faults and a 72 service percentage. He also won 33 percent of return points and converted two out of five break points, compared to Sugita’s 72 first serve percentage and 28 receiving one. The Japanese’s showing also included a break, a 67 service percentage, three aces and three double faults.
Tokyo Prize Money and points:
Winner – $295,000 and 500 points ATP
Runner up – $133,000 and 300 points ATP
Semi finalist – $63,000 and 180 points ATP
Quarter finalist – $30,400 and 90 points ATP
R16 – $15,500 and 45 points ATP
R32 – $8,525 and zero points

Thank's for link: