Alexandra Panova and Severine Beltrame move into the qualifying second round of 2011 Grand Prix SAR
Number 2 seed Alexandra Panova of Russia defeated Austrian Melanie Klaffner in straight sets 6-3, 6-3 on Saturday to reach the second round of 2011 Grand Prix SAR La Princesse Lalla Meryem qualifying round in Morocco.
Panova looked to dominate right from the start of the contest. She made her first serve break in third game of the opening set with a lovely forehand winner down the line. The Russian then held on to her serve game to take the
set score lead 1-0. Panova displayed some crafty tennis in the opener and made most of the chances that came her way.
The second set also followed a similar trend. Klaffner fought back well with a serve break early in the set but the excellence of Panova ensured her a straight set victory. Leading the game score at 4-2, the Austrian tennis-pro
had the golden opportunity to level the set score but Panova made a double serve break to end the contest after only 1 hour and 38 minutes of play.
Throughout the match, the Russian showed great presence of mind as she played in the chips shots to secure crucial points against her opponent. Her serve was on target most of the times as she achieved a brilliant 77 per cent first
serve conversion. Ranked 136 in the world overshadowed her opponent in the serve return department as well by earning 55 per cent of the points.
The running season has proved to be a bit disappointing in the Women’s Tennis Association arena for the 22 year old Russian. She started the year with a qualifying round loss at the Brisbane. She then returned to the tour at the
Australian Open where she was again ousted in the qualifying round. At 2011 Bogota she was defeated in straight sets in the first round by Meusburger. The young Russian will be hoping to change the course of her career with a solid performance here at the
red clay courts of Fes.
In another match French veteran Severine Beltrame eased past Spanish Lara Arruabarrena-Vecino 7-5, 6-0 to reach the next round at the tournament.
Vecino has been in decent form over the last few weeks giving reasonable results on the tour. She had an easy first match against the 31-year-old Frenchwoman. However lack of temperament and focus resulted in a disaster for world
number 206, Vecino.
Vecino suffered a serve break in third game of the opening set. Her opponent Beltrame held on to her serve game to take the set 7-5. The second set proved to be completely one sided as Vecino failed to claim a single game in the
set. Beltrame will take on Alexandra Panova in her next match-up at the tournament.
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