Cellular South Cup: Krajicek defeats Zahlavova Strycova
Dutch tennis player Michaella Krajicek defeated Barbora Zahlavova Strycova of the Czech Republic in straight sets today, winning the first round match 6-1, 6-3. Krajicek took just an hour and ten minutes to oust Zahlavova Strycova, securing a place in the
second round of the 2011 Cellular South Cup.
The win was quite unexpected, especially since Zahlavova Strycova was the first seed of the event as World Number 53. In addition to this, Krajicek is ranked almost a hundred spots below her 24-year-old opponent. Although the Dutch player has defeated Zahlavova
Strycova once before, that victory was in 2005. It seems as if an improved ranking and six years in between have not made much difference.
As evident by the score-line, the match was a very easy victory for Krajicek. The first set was a complete pushover, with Zahlavova Strycova winning just eighteen points out of forty-eight. She managed to win a single game, but Krajicek took the remaining
seven with minimal effort. The Czech player seemed to be struggling with confidence and form; her serve was mediocre at best, and she won only 58 percent of points on her first serve. Her second serve was even worse, as she could only win 29 percent of the
total points.
This lapse in Zahlavova Strycova’s game was particularly unfortunate against Krajicek, who took complete advantage of her rival’s weakness. The Dutch 22-year-old subjected her to five break points, successfully converting three of them. She also saved the
lone break point which Zahlavova Strycova was able to challenge her with. The Czech player tried her best to take control in the second set, and went so far as to win three games. However, Krajicek turned out to be the superior player; she did not give Zahlavova
Strycova much of a chance to take or maintain a lead.
Krajicek is currently World Number 151, and she has won three career titles since she turned pro in 2003. She is the half-sister of Wimbledon winner Richard Krajicek. The Dutch pro has played in just two matches in this season, and this is her first victory.
Zahlavova Strycova also joined the Women’s Tennis Association [WTA] in 2003, but she has not won a title yet; this is in fact the first time she was seeded first at a WTA Tour event. The Czech player has taken part in fourteen matches in 2011, and this is
her fifth loss.
The head to head record between the two pros is now 2-0 to Krajicek, who defeated Zahlavova Strycova in 2005 at the Tashkent tournament in Uzbekistan. Krajicek upset Strycova in three sets 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 to enter the quarterfinals of the event.
Michaella Krajicek will face American qualifier Alexa Glatch in the second round. Glatch defeated compatriot Beatrice Capra in the first round, winning the match 6-2, 6-0.
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