Akgul Amanmuradova ousts Aravane Rezai in 1st round – Tashkent Open 2011
In a day full of upsets during the opening round of the Tashkent Open 2011, Aravane Rezai also became a victim. The number eight seeded Rezai contested against unseeded Akgul Amanmuradova on hard courts of the Olympic School Tennis
Courts, Tashkent. Although, the home girl (Amanmuradova) stood no chance against the eighth seeded Rezai but in a one hour and eleven minute match, Amanmuradova surprisingly won the match in straight sets of 6-4, 6-3.
Amanmuradova won the toss and opened the first set by smashing three successive aces to bag the first game. In the following seven games the players kept winning on their own serve to round off the score at 4-4. The hometown girl
then held her serve in the ninth game by smashing an ace during game point. As the two players battled the following game, Rezai tried to ward off three deuces but she lost patience in a long rally and pushed a backhand over the line giving an advantage to
Amanmuradova. As the home girl scrambles back a brutal forehand, she wins the break point and surprisingly the opening set.
Uzbek Amanmuradova simply refused to go down in the set and rallied for survival. With only a single break she bagged the opening set and managed to keep her hopes alive in the match.
Opening the second set of the match was the home girl, who struck an ace in the opening game to bag an unopposed game. The two players then held serve on alternate games to equalize the score at 3-3 during the sixth game. In the
seventh game Amanmuradova holds serve and eventually during the eighth game broke Rezai for the first and last time to secure a lead of 5-3. As she served for the match during the ninth game she smashed another two aces successively to seal her victory.
Amanmuradova was absolutely thrilled as she rolled on the court, but then quickly rushed to hug Rezai. The Uzbek gave away her wrist bands to the spectators. The entire home crowd was happy out there, as they chanted ‘Muradova
Muradova’.
Following her victory she said, "It was important for me to win here in front of my home crowd, I'm happy I played to a plan and executed it well. I also feel that I have become mature probably with age and experience, and all
this is paying off."
Considering Amanmuradova is a native and resident of Tashkent, she played very confidently. In addition, she has played here every year since turning pro in 2000. Her two best career results at this event were when she was a runner
up in 2005 and 2009.
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