Andrea Petkovic defeats Sloane Stephens; eases into semi-final – Mercury Insurance Open 2011
Andrea Petkovic held a straight set 6-2, 6-1 victory over Sloane Stephens on the 5th of August 2011 in the quarter-final of Mercury Insurance Open at the La Costa Resort and Spa, Carlsbad, California.
Amidst the first set; neither of the players struck an ace, instead the 23-year-old German committed one double fault, along with, the American (Stephens) who too struck a line fault due to lack of precision.
Petkovic’s defence was sturdy and she did not allow a single break point advantage to her American opponent (as she was able to save all her break points), instead, she was able to convert 67% of the break points she faced whereas,
Stephens saved one out of the three break point chances.
Petkovic kept up the intensity for every point she achieved and won 20 of 30 service points making it an exceptional sixty seven percent win against Stephens, who managed to win only an average forty eight percent of her total
service points.
Although, Petkovic had won an above average fifty two percent return points, they were a walloping 19 percent more than Stephens’ total return points, therefore giving her a total of 20% more win to outfox Stephens.
After the first set of the match, Petkovic said “I was really on fire when it was 6-2, 5-0, I wanted to win every point”.
During the second set of the match; the 23-year-old with her strong defence was capable of saving the sole break point she gave to her opponent and instead broke her American opponent twice over. While, the 18-year-old (Stephens)
was barely able to save one out of the three break points on her serve and failed to avail any break points.
The German served no aces, along with an immaculate accuracy committed zero double faults, also succeeded in attaining 17 out of 23 service points and hence, making it an impressive seventy four percent win against the 18-year-old
American.
The world number 11 (Petkovic) qualified to the semi final of the Mercury Insurance Open 2011 by accomplishing thirty nine percent more of total return points than her opponents and achieving a remarkable seventy percent of total
points, hence giving her a comprehensive victory over Stephens, winning both the sets unbroken and a 2-0 lead.
“I’m happy I managed to calm down and get the break back,” said former number one Ivanovic. “I got back in the match and I’m very pleased
Stephens holds the 131th position in the world, while her opponent the 23-year-old German, (Petkovic) has reached her career high singles ranking of world number 11 on the 6th of June, 2011.
The number world number 11; Petkovic, took 66 minutes to defeat the 18-year-old Stephens, who was playing her first WTA-level quarterfinal.
Petkovic will face the Pole, Agnieszka Radwanska for a spot in the final of the Mercury Open 2011.
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