Akgul Amanmuradova bounces back to oust Oksana Kalashnikova in round two – Ankara Cup 2012
Uzbekistani challenger, Akgul Amanmuradova, made an epic comeback from a set down to overpower the Georgian contestant, Oksana Kalashnikova, in a three-set thriller at the Ankara Cup 2012 on Wednesday. She clobbered a 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 success against the Georgian
to power into the quarter-finals at this indoor hard court tournament taking place in Ankara, Turkey.
Amanmuradova made a drastic entry at this ITF (International Tennis Federation) Women’s Circuit event taking place from 17th to 23rd December. However, she re-focused after that and eventually carved out the victory in almost two hours
and 45 minutes. As a result, the Uzbek comfortably advanced into the final eight and moved a step closer towards the prize money.
The world number 415 made quick in-roads at the Ankara Tennis Club. She went on a four-game killing spree before the Uzbek could come on the score sheet. Kalashnikova then swiped her remaining serves with poise and eventually sealed the opener by winning
six games to two. She warded off the lone breakpoint she came across and cashed both break chances to inch closer towards the fame.
The Tashkent-born Amanmuradova re-focused her strategy in the following set. She swiftly bagged her entire serves after displaying spectacular defensive skills. The Uzbek got the breakthrough in the last game and pocketed the equaliser with a 6-4 score line.
She was never challenged with any barrier and marked the only break opportunity to get back in contention.
Ranked 206th in the WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) Premier Rankings, Amanmuradova maintained consistency in her game in the final set which counted the most. She exchanged two serve breaks before levelling the scores at 3-3. The Uzbek then went
on a three-game tear and clicked the equaliser with a 6-3 win. She warded off two out of four breakpoints she faced and converted three out of five break opportunities to her advantage.
Next challenge for Amanmuradova is the second seed, Monica Puig, who dumped the Russian qualifier, Yuliya Kalabina, in straight sets to set up this meeting. The Puerto Rican starlet broke her rival’s serve four times to formulate a 6-3, 6-2 score line.
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