Anabel Medina Garrigues outshines Nina Bratchikova to reach round two – Fes WTA 2012
Top seeded Anabel Medina Garrigues toppled over the Russian starlet, Nina Bratchikova, in straight sets at the Grand Prix De SAR La Princesse Lalla Meryem 2012 on Monday. She joggled up a 6-2, 6-4 victory against the Portugal resident to breeze into the
round of 16 at this WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) clay court event taking place in Fes, Morocco.
The Spanish number one stayed on track to bid for her second Fes title after triumphing over the world number 107 in one hour and 23 minutes. After pocketing this match, Garrigues confidently advanced into the second round at this International-level tournament.
Garrigues high-spiritedly entered the Royal Tennis Club de Fes and drew the first blood in the second game to jump to a 3-0 lead. She then maintained consistency in her game and not only swiped in remaining serves but cashed in another break opportunity
to clinch the opener with a 6-2 score line.
26th ranked Spaniard carried her rhythm in the following set and after earning the desiderated break in the second game, she took a 2-0 lead. Despite squandering her edge in the very next game, Garrigues put her head in the game and capitalised
on another break chance in the last game to seal the set by winning six games to four.
All in all, the Spanish veteran penned down a brilliant first serve share of 70 per cent as compared to Bratchikova’s 56 per cent and marked 27 out of 32 points on it. Garrigues failed to block the lone breakpoint she came across but sought 10 break chances
out of which she utilized four to her advantage.
Next in line for the 29-year-old is the Luxembourgian challenger, Mandy Minella, who warded off late resistance to overcome Alexandra Panova of Russia in straight sets.
The defending champion, Alberta Brianti, was crashed out by Alexandra Cadantu later that day. She suffered a 7-5, 5-7, 1-6 shock at the hands of the 21-year-old in two hours and 48 minutes. The Italian cashed in eight out of 20 break opportunities but saved
only nine out of 20 breakpoints she encountered.
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