Roberts-Peralta Semifinal Play-by-Play

Matt Roberts.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- Julio Peralta, from Chile, seems to enjoy hitting the one-handed backhand. Indeed, he shows great variety from the backhand side and even has a good backhand volley. Peralta played Matt Roberts in the semifinal of the St. Vincent Auxiliary Men's Professional Tennis Tournament.

Matt Roberts was born in Little Rock and is attracting raucous crowds to his matches especially this weekend when people are off from work and this Futures tournament is headed to the final.

Roberts loves the forehand ground stroke. Peralta continually made the mistake of serving towards Roberts forehand: Roberts repeatedly ripped Peralta's serve down the line and each time Peralta has no chance to return.

Pretty soon the score is 5-3 in the first set. Roberts would go on to win the first set 6-0.

Peralta actually took a 3-2 lead in the second set.

Roberts stormed back with his awesome forehand return of Peralta's serve. When he rips these shots down the line, Peralta does not even bother to move. He did it three times. Pretty soon the score was 5-3 Roberts.

The match ended fittingly. Near the end of the match Roberts launched an ace against Peralta. After the ace, Peralta stood stunned. But the curious thing is, the fans couldn't discern if he wanted to complain that the serve was out, or if he was stunned as to say, 'Damn, is this guy that good?!'

Roberts won the second set for the match 6-3, 6-4.

Julio Peralta.