Pescosolido Repeats His Victory Over Chang in the Second Round

Stefano Pescosolido of Italy, who upset Michael Chang last week in the second round of the Canadian Open at Montreal, did it again Wednesday night a lot closer to Chang’s home turf of Orange County.

He defeated Chang in the second round of the Volvo/Los Angeles tennis tournament at UCLA.

Pescosolido’s 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 victory came eight days after his 7-6 (8-6), 3-6, 6-3 victory over Chang at Montreal.

“I think it was easier for him, having beaten me last week and knowing that he had a chance to win,” Chang said of the world’s 80th-ranked player. “Today, he played as if he (knew he) was able to beat me. Last week, he wasn’t playing like that. I played much better this time.”

Chang, ranked 20th, was impressed.

“I think he’s a very good player--he beat me twice,” Chang said after the 2-hour 20-minute match. “He has a very good first serve, a very good forehand--kind of a slap forehand. In a way, it’s kind of like (Andre Agassi’s), but they hit it differently. . . .

“He doesn’t give you all that much to hit. His ball is flat and low, kind of like Jimmy Connors’.”

Pescosolido, 20, joined the ATP Tour two years ago and broke into the top 100 for the first time in April.

“I had nothing to lose,” Pescosolido said. “Chang is not a tough player for me to play against.”