Post by DBBN on Jan 14, 2009 11:15:30 GMT -5
IAWP:
Wednesday 14 January 2009
By Joe Sullivan
Australian journeyman Joe Sirianni has stared down defeat on several occasions in his first round qualifying match against fifth-seeded Go Soeda from Japan, coming from behind to win 3-6 6-3 8-6.
The 33-year-old Melbournian was 0-5 down in the third and deciding set when he set about a remarkable comeback to draw level at 5-5.
“I dug deep, I was five-love down in the third and I just decided to go for it and play my strengths,” Sirianni said post-match.
“It was a battle, but my backhand down-the-line saved me ... and I hit heaps of down-the-line winners.”
Sirianni’s backhand was his weapon of choice as the third set became a tight and tense affair.
After drawing level at 5-5, Soeda gained the ascendency by holding serve to take a 6-5 lead. The Japanese was then able to grab two match points and the ascendency during Sirianni’s next service game.
However, with a generous portion of the crowd getting behind the Australian, Sirianni responded, holding serve and then taking the next two games to win the match.
Earlier, Sirianni battled hard in the opening set but managed to find some momentum late in the second set to force the match into a decider.
“The first two sets, it wasn’t really working; I was trying to play his game and he was dominating,” Sirianni said.
“Then I decided to play my game and it worked and I turned it [the match] around.”
Sirianni’s gritty victory came on a day of intense heat in Melbourne, but he believes that the extreme temperatures may have been in his favour.
“This morning when I warmed up, it was 34 degrees already - and that was at nine o’clock,” Sirianni said.
“But I’m used to it. It obviously affects everyone, but we [Australian players] are more acclimatised.”
Sirianni now has a day off, and the Australian is looking forward to relaxing before he battles Italian Gianluca Naso in the second round of qualifying.
Earlier today, Sirianni’s compatriot Robert Smeets was outclassed by German fourth seed Bjorn Phau 6-3 6-3.
The big-serving Queenslander showed plenty of promise but was unable to capitalise during crucial points against the 29-year-old veteran.
www.australianopen.com/en_AU/news/match_reports/2009-01-14/200901141231905475078.html
Wednesday 14 January 2009
By Joe Sullivan
Australian journeyman Joe Sirianni has stared down defeat on several occasions in his first round qualifying match against fifth-seeded Go Soeda from Japan, coming from behind to win 3-6 6-3 8-6.
The 33-year-old Melbournian was 0-5 down in the third and deciding set when he set about a remarkable comeback to draw level at 5-5.
“I dug deep, I was five-love down in the third and I just decided to go for it and play my strengths,” Sirianni said post-match.
“It was a battle, but my backhand down-the-line saved me ... and I hit heaps of down-the-line winners.”
Sirianni’s backhand was his weapon of choice as the third set became a tight and tense affair.
After drawing level at 5-5, Soeda gained the ascendency by holding serve to take a 6-5 lead. The Japanese was then able to grab two match points and the ascendency during Sirianni’s next service game.
However, with a generous portion of the crowd getting behind the Australian, Sirianni responded, holding serve and then taking the next two games to win the match.
Earlier, Sirianni battled hard in the opening set but managed to find some momentum late in the second set to force the match into a decider.
“The first two sets, it wasn’t really working; I was trying to play his game and he was dominating,” Sirianni said.
“Then I decided to play my game and it worked and I turned it [the match] around.”
Sirianni’s gritty victory came on a day of intense heat in Melbourne, but he believes that the extreme temperatures may have been in his favour.
“This morning when I warmed up, it was 34 degrees already - and that was at nine o’clock,” Sirianni said.
“But I’m used to it. It obviously affects everyone, but we [Australian players] are more acclimatised.”
Sirianni now has a day off, and the Australian is looking forward to relaxing before he battles Italian Gianluca Naso in the second round of qualifying.
Earlier today, Sirianni’s compatriot Robert Smeets was outclassed by German fourth seed Bjorn Phau 6-3 6-3.
The big-serving Queenslander showed plenty of promise but was unable to capitalise during crucial points against the 29-year-old veteran.
www.australianopen.com/en_AU/news/match_reports/2009-01-14/200901141231905475078.html
