Nakamura Breezes Past Tu in Qualifying Victory

Don’t look now; there could be another rising star from Asia on the horizon.

Japan’s Aiko Nakamura easily defeated Meilen Tu of the United States, 6-1, 6-1 in a 49-minutes first-round qualifying match at the 2005 Acura Classic.

Nakamura, ranked 82 in the world, dominated Tu after fighting off a break point in the opening game of the match, which was played on Stadium Court at the La Costa Resort and Spa.

Tu was down 4-0 in the first set before she broke Nakamura’s serve to get on the scoreboard. Despite hitting two double faults, Nakamura went on to serve out the first set, which took 25 minutes.

After trading service breaks to open the second set, the steady Nakamura raised the level of her game and reeled off five straight games. The match ended when Tu sent a backhand past the baseline.

• Nakamura will face India’s Shikha Uberoi in a second round qualifying match.
• Nakamura reached the second round of this year’s Australian Open as a qualifier.
• Nakamura is making her Acura Classic debut.
• Tu is ranked 145 in the world.
• Tu was making her seventh Acura Classic appearance.
• Tu qualified for the main draw of this year’s Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon.

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