Tennis: Nadal powers past Soeda

TOKYO: World number two Rafael Nadal overpowered qualifier Go Soeda 6-3, 6-2 as he began the defence of his Japan Open title. The top-seed produced some dazzling shots, taking the first set with a backhand lob with Japanese Soeda marooned at the net. Nadal kept his foot on the gas in the second set and teed up match point with a superb running forehand down the line. “It was important to win but I need to spend more time on court,” he said. Nadal will next face Milos Raonic who beat Yuichi Sugita 6-7, 6-3, 7-6. David Ferrer defeated Kei Nishikori 6-4, 6-3.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 5^th, 2011.