[kinokino]

Good job!!! Go & Kei

[chewy]

Very good, 2 love lead!

[*esther*]

well done!

[*bunny*]

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default...-3-2009_pg2_15

Japan lead 2-0 against China

OSAKA: Tennis ace Kei Nishikori beat Zhang Ze to give Japan a 2-0 lead over China in the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania zone Group One second-round tie on Friday.

The 19-year-old Nishikori, who caused a sensation by winning his first ATP title a year ago, struggled with the strong serve of 18-year-old Zhang, who hit a total of 13 aces. But Nishikori pulled off a late break in each set to score a solid 6-4, 7-5, 6-2 victory in the second singles match.

Earlier, Go Soeda put Japan one up by beating Zeng Shaoxuan 6-2, 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 in the best-of-five contest.

On Saturday, Takao Suzuki and Satoshi Iwabuchi will take on Zeng and Zhang in the doubles match before Sunday’s reverse singles. The winners of the tie will meet either Uzbekistan or South Korea in the third round May 8-10. afp

==============================
In the post-match interview Kei said he's happy he could win in a tense atmosphere of a live rubber, compared to his first DC victory in a dead rubbber last year in India.
His arm is not 100% yet and sometimes he can't hit the way he wanted. He also thinks the other pros on tour have studied the way he plays and what his weaknesses are, so the challenges he's facing is getting tougher and tougher. But he wants to do well in the two big tournaments in US (IW and Miami) so that his ranking can go up again.
In a recent interview on a Japanese newspaper he said he really loves tennis now more than ever that he can't think of living without it.

Good luck to him if he's playing tomorrow!

[*bunny*]

Suzuki & Iwabuchi def. Zeng and Ze 6-2 6-3 6-2

[*bunny*]

Kei has said he won't play tomorrow because his arm feels very tense.
A sensible decision I think. Takao Suzuki will play instead.
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/sports/news...OYT1T00678.htm

[kinokino]

Kei
I hope he will get well soon.

[*bunny*]

Japan beat China 5-0!

Takao Suzuki def. Di Wu 6-2 6-3
Go Soeda def. Ze Zhang 4-6 6-3 6-2

In the third round, Japan will face either South Korea or Uzbekistan from May 8-10. At the moment, the Uzbeks lead the South Koreans 2-1.

The next tie will be in Japan if the opponents are the South Koreans, and in Uzbekistan if it's the Uzbeks.

The problem for Kei is he will have to fly back to Asia in the middle of the European clay court season, in the same week as Munich/Estoril/Belgrade and the week before Kitzbuhel (moved from Portschach) and World Team Championship.
Japan usually doesn't play in WTC, but it's a pity he can't enter Munich/Estoril/Belgrade and Kitz because those tournaments would be easier for him to enter than the Masters Series events and Balcelona, which Kei will have to qualify.

Uzbekistan will probably choose clay, but South Korea may choose a faster surface, so from Kei's point of view, it would be easier to prepare for the Uzbeks, although Istomin will be tough to beat at home.

Unlike this time, Japan will probably need Kei to advance next time. If they win, they can then play in the World Group play-off in September.

[*bunny*]

Japan will face Uzbekistan in the Asia-Oceania zonal tie third round from May 8-10, in Uzbekistan, after the Uzbeks have beaten South Korea 3-1.

[*bunny*]

Some photos from the tie (from the JTA official site):

From open practice session on March 4

[*bunny*]

From prematch press conference on March 4:

[*bunny*]

From reception party on March 4:

[*bunny*]

From draw ceremony on March 6:

[*bunny*]

Kei responds to call on the first day:

[*bunny*]

Go Soeda