Japan's Sugita stuns eighth seed Olivier Rochus
CHENNAI, 3rd January 2012: Qualifier Yuichi Sugita of Japan stunned Belgian eighth seed Olivier Rochus 6-3 6-4 in Tuesday's first round action in the Aircel Chennai Open 2012 at the SDAT-Nungambakkam Stadium.
On a day when Frenchman Edouard Roger-Vasselin made his Lucky Loser break count by brushing aside compatriot Eric Prodon 6-4, 6-3, world No. 235 Sugita ousted Rochus on the side court when all eyes were on Centre Court.
"It was one of the best matches I've played. This is one of the highest-ranked players I've beaten. I beat India's Somdev Devvarman in the Davis Cup last year," said Sugita after dispatching world No. 37 Rochus.
The 23-year-old Sugita is strong from the baseline and said he played to his strength.
"We played long rallies. I'm strong from the baseline," he said, adding that coming through the qualifiers had helped him adapt to the conditions.
Rochus, meanwhile, was playing in his first competitive match of the new season.
"It was good for me," said the Japanese. "I hope to play this way in the coming rounds," he added.
