I got there as Kash was walking off a practice court. I introduced myself. At the time he thought that there was going to be a full doubles match in addition the the finish of a singles match before him. He said he was going in for a shower and we would sit and talk before the match. However they changed the schedule and Kash played on the next available court. So we talked for about 15 minutes after his shower and he bought me a coke
.
Interestingly he and Giovanni are good freinds and are the doubles together. A decision that was made prior to the singles draw.
Anyway, here is the match report---so far
Set 1-Lapentti won the toss and decided to serve
1-0: After being taken to deuce, he had two double faults in the game including the opening point but fought through it for the hold
1-1: GL held at 15, the only point PA won was a double fault
2-1: A love game ended wmphatically with two aces
2-2: After starting out at 0-30 GL held. The point of the game was when PA lobbed him beautifully but he still managed to get it back to win the point
3-2: A good hold for PA after surviving three deuces and two breakpoints
3-3: GL again dominated the game apart from giving PA a DF
4-3: PA held in a game which saw GL net a volley on a ball that was going out and PA net an overhead. It was good to see PA take his time and towel off after missing that shot. He regrouped to hold.
5-3: After sharing a nod of assurance with me during the changeover
PA got down to buisness hitting an amazing return in between two Lapentti DF's to storm out to a 0-40 lead. However GL came back with three huge serves. But again PA took his time and toweled off in between the next two points to get the break
6-3: The longest and most intense game of the match. PA fought off two BP's while GL hit 4 amazing passing shots in the game. PA an amazing pass of his own on the run---provoking a yell of satisfaction from him---to earn his third set point. However the third set point was extremely disheartening as GL returned a great smash overhead from PA and continued on to win the point. Finally, after 5 Deuces PA converted on the fourth set point.
Set 2
As I returned from my bathroom break
I saw PA look towards my empty seat. Then he turned and saw me returning and we exchanged fist pumps as time was called. 
The second set was one of missed chances for PA---5 BP's in GL's opening two service games.
0-1 (had 3BP's)
1-1: PA dug out of a 0-30 hole with two scintilating plays; a superb drop volley and an amazing backhand overhead winner crosscourt. GL took it to deuce with a passing shot which provoked PA to yell at himself to MOVE! The ball certainly moved on the ace he hit to end the game
1-2: GL started out at 40-15 but on the next point he hit a colley which danced on the top of the net and then stayed on his side. The game went on to have 4 deuces, 2 double faults and 2 break points. On the first BP PA just missed an angled topspin passing shot wide and let out a yell. On the second BP, GL's serve took an unusually high bounce which PA could not do much with.
2-2: PA showed off his great touch at net in this game
2-3: PA began the game with an awesome return to take the first point but GL reeled of four straight points for the hold. After the game PA enjoyed a coke that he requested the ballboy for
3-3: The coke helped PA dig out of a 15-30 hole
3-4: After changing raquets, PA started out at 0-30 but GL answered with some big serves. With another awesome return and great net play PA took it to deuce but GL held on.
4-4: PA saved a BP and went on to hold.
4-5: GL answered with an easy love game
4-6: At either 15-15- or 15-30 (cant remember
) PA threw in an untimely DF. GL ended the set and the days play with a screaming forehand up the line followed by a VAMOS!
PA seemed happy with the way he had played but talked about the missed oppurtunites in the second set. He was optimistic about tomorrow though.
To answer your question about a coach, from what I could see (I forgot to ask) PA seems to have made this trip alone. There was one guy who was cheering PA on and kept switching his seat according to which side PA was on. He kept yelling out advice to Kash and did the same as he was walking off court. But I don't think he was a coach---just a knowledgable fan
