Barbora Strycova trashes Andrea Hlavackova to reach the semis – Bell Challenge 2011
In an all Czech match, sixth seed Barbora Zahlavova Strycova edged past Andrea Hlavackova in straight sets at the Bell Challenge 2011, a WTA International event held on the indoor hard courts in Quebec, Canada. Strycova registered a 6-3, 7-5 wins over her 25-year-old age fellow to advance into the last four on Friday.
Strycova require almost two hours dumping her unseeded compatriot on their fourth meeting. She not only kept her winning record and extended lead in the head-to-head series by 4-0 against Hlavackova but also booked a semi-final spot at this event.
Ranked 75th in the Sony Ericsson WTA Premier rankings, Strycova thundered into the opening game by getting the desiderated break in it. Regardless of losing her serve in the very next game, she unleashed her true form in the end to bag last four games in a row and clinched the set with a 6-3 victory.
The happy Czech, Strycova manifested a better first serve share of 63 percent as compared to her countrywoman’s 50 percent and registered a plausible 60 percent win on it. He failed to ward off the only breakpoint faced but capitalised on three out of seven breakpoint opportunities to her advantage.
The seed lost her way into the final set and gifted away her serve in the first game. However, she roared back in the fourth game to square the scores at 2-2. After this, the higher ranked Czech kept her composure to pocket remaining serves. She converted another breakpoint chance to her advantage in the last game to seal the set by winning seven games to five.
Strycova was pushed to her limit in this set but she still managed to save four out of five breakpoints came across. In addition to this, she cashed in on half of the four breakpoint chances to her advantage to help clinch comfortably.
Strycova will advance to face Netherlands’ Michaella Krajicek who upset fourth seeded local star, Rebecca Marino with a breadstick to reach this spot. The Czech needs to carry her momentum and play with a similar manner to trash another hurdle in order to clinch her maiden title.
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