Japan on edge of quarterfinal at the ATP Cup after another victory

Without Kei Nishikori, ATP Cup might look like a tough challenge for the Team of Japan. But they prove to be a very good squad when they first defeated Uruguay 3-0 and now they added the victory over Georgia.

Go Soeda opened the day in Perth when he faced Aleksandre Metreveli. World number 679 started the match good against the Japanese when he won the set 6-4. But Soeda was better in the second and third set when triumphed 6-3 and 6-2 to give Japan 1-0 lead against Georgia.

In the second match, Yoshihito Nishioka had to play world number 26 Nikoloz Basilashvili. It was a 5th lost match in a row for a player from Georgia when Nishioka defeated him comfortably 6-2 and 6-3 and secured the second point for his country.

Georgia recorded their first victory at the ATP Cup in doubles when Bakshi & Tkemaladze defeated McLachlan & Matsui 6-2, 6-4 after 66 minutes. However, that did not change the fact, that won the second tie and at the moment they lead the group. Next, they will be facing Spain in a tie which will decide about the winner of the group.

Japanese no.2, Go Soeda summed up the match, when he said: “He was playing well and also I was super tight, because I needed to win the match, especially as the No. 2 singles player. But from the second set, I just tried to focus, focus on the points. I had no idea how he played, so I watched YouTube and the match against Spain. It was really tough to play him, he has a huge forehand… The next singles match [against Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain on Wednesday], I will have no pressure, so I can do more.”

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