Ayumi Morita falls to Francesca Schiavone in the quarterfinal of Brussels Ladies Open
World No. 5 Francesca Schiavone advanced to the semi-final of Brussels Ladies Open on Thursday by virtue of her straight sets success over Ayumi Morita of Japan. She was completely upbeat in her quarterfinal match at the Royal Primrose Tennis Club, where she defeated the Japanese with a 6-2, 6-3 score line. She barely took 70 minutes en route to semi final of the tournament.
It was a tough match for the 30-year-old Italian, who was not expecting that level of resistance from her Japanese opponent. Morita’s resistance was quite surprising, given her last performance at the US Open, where she lost the match against Schiavone without much of a fight. However, the Italian pro was completely unruffled throughout the match and raced to a lop-sided victory, giving her a 2-0 lead against Morita.
The Italian ace, won the first set 6-2 as she attacked with ruthless well-paced shots and the unseeded Morita tried to hold on with some good returns. Schiavone hammered two aces and 43 percent of first serve, winning 100 percent of points on them. While, Morita hanged back with a huge difference of 57 percent as she only fired 64 percent on her first serve. Morita had her chances in the first set as she converted 100 percent breakpoints, but faltering on crucial moments, she ruined every chance she had in the set.
Morita looked very upset and remained unable to focus on the match. However, she raised the level of her game and got a little bit lucky in the second set as she fired 85 percent of first serves on target. The second set turned into a real battle as both players were holding each other’s serve and were playing at a very high level. However, Schiavone appeared to be in complete control as she returned nearly everything her 57-ranked Japanese sent her way. Schiavone dictated the second set with her deep shots and broke Morita’s serve in ninth game to clinch the victory in straight sets.
Schiavone will begin her run in Brussels, as she squares off against veteran Caroline Wozniacki on Thursday. Wozniacki passed into final four, after Yanina Wickmayer retired with a back injury. The Dane now draws Francesca in the final four as both have an eye on the final in Brussels.
Wozniacki leads their head-to-head sequence 3-2, having won their last three meetings. However, Schiavone’s chances are redeemed a little as she defeated the Dane the one and only time the two met on clay court surface at the French Open. If Wozniacki desires to win the match she should keep that French Open meeting back in her mind before entering the field.
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