2010 Women’s Kremlin Cup and BGL BNP Paribas Luxembourg Open highlights
The young rising tennis sensation from Russia, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, was bundled out in her first round clash 2010 Kremlin Cup Women’s singles competition at the hands of Dominika Cibulkova in three sets on Monday. The final match score was 7-6, (5)
2-6, 6-0.
Anastasia had fallen in the opening rounds in both of her past appearances at the Premier level competition back in 2006 and last year by Nicole Vaidisova and Tsvetana Pironkova respectively. The first two sets was a see saw battle until Cibulkova went on
overdrive in the decisive set, missing just seven points to defeat the heavy hitting Russian.
Anastasia after losing said on Monday, "She is a very energetic contender and battles for every point. I gave her an opportunity to get back into the match and she took it. It was difficult for me. Probably I am a bit tired, but that is not an excuse. Even
though I did battle hard until the end, nothing worked in the end for me today".
When asked about her doubles participation, the Russian added that she is looking forward to playing well along with her partner Vera Dushevina.
Dominika, on the other hand after confirming her second round berth reflected, "I lost my focus in the start of the clash as my back was hurting, however then the physio came out and helped me. Once the pain was gone I was able to focus on the match and
got it together".
The only other seed in action on Monday was the eighth seed Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez, who surpassed Alla Kudryavtseva in three sets. The final match score was 6-1, 5-7, 6-1.
Meanwhile, Kateryna Bondarenko of Ukraine survived against Petra Kvitova in a three setter clash with a score line of 6-3, 6-7, (7) 6-1. Alona Bondarenko, her elder sister also did well to topple Daria Gavrilova, a wild card entrant from Russia in two sets.
The final match score was 7-5, 6-1.
In other action in Luxembourg, Carla Suarez Navarro started her campaign with a three setter victory over Kristina Barrois in the opening round of the BGL BNP Paribas Luxembourg Open Women’s singles competition on Monday. The final match score was 6-4, 2-6,
7-5.A
After improving her ranking as high as number twenty-two in the World by WTA, Carla is battling hard to come back to that form after returning on the tour from a right ankle injury that caused her to skip the majority of 2010, including the grass court Grand
Slam tournament at the All England Club.
Carla, who posted an impressive win last year by upsetting the American tennis sensation, Venus Williams, on her way into the quarter final round at the year’s first Grand Slam, the Australian Open along with a final showdown in Marbella, is looking in good
shape in Luxembourg. Although, the Spaniard didn’t win comprehensively, her confidence will definitely increase a great deal as a result of this victory.
Meanwhile, Angelique Kerber thrashed out fifteen year old Yulia Putintseva, another wild card entrant, in two sets to reach the second round. The final match score was 6-3, 6-1. Anne Keothavong on the other hand, dispatched Virginie Razzano, 6-1, 6-4 and
thus recorded her first victory in three career meetings with the French player.
In the final clashes on Monday, Ivana Lisjak, Lucie Hradecka as well as Kathrin Woerle also registered victories in their respective matches.
Today’s schedule will highlight the top seed and 2008 Luxembourg winner, Elena Dementieva, who will take on Peng Shuai whereas the second seed, Aravane Rezai, will meet Barthel to start their campaign.
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