Christina McHale crashes at the hands of Aleksandra Wozniak in round one – Family Circle Cup 2012
Seeded 11th in the tournament, Christina McHale was underplayed by the Canadian booming star, Aleksandra Wozniak, in gruelling three sets at the Family Circle Cup 2012 on Monday. She suffered a 5-7, 7-5, 4-6 loss at the hands of the world number
60 in the opening round of this WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) Premier event held in Charleston, United States.
The crowd favourite, McHale, found her rhythm in the second set but was edged out by the Canadian after showing dismal performance in the final set at these South Carolinian clay courts. As a result, Wozniak not only advanced into the second round but also
avenged her loss at the US Open last season.
"It was unfortunate to lose today, but it has been a decent 12 months for sure," the American teenager was quoted after the match. "I'll try to continue to improve, and hopefully next time I'll be on the other end of a match like this one today."
The 24-year-old Canadian made quick in-roads at the Family Circle Tennis Center. Wozniak swiftly plucked her entire serves after blocking the lone breakpoints she faced and got the breakthrough in the last game to bag the opener with a 7-5 win. She cashed
in the only break chance to earn the fame.
Ranked 33rd in the WTA Premier Rankings, McHale bounced back in the second set. She suffered the first blow in the fourth game to trail at 1-3. However, the American quickly snatched her break back and swiped in her remaining serves. McHale capitalised
on another break opportunity in the second last game and pulled out the equaliser by winning seven games to five.
McHale lost her track again in the final set and gifted away her serve in the sixth game to trail at 2-4. Apart from recovering in the very next game, the American lost her serve once more in the last game and endured a 4-6 shock.
The underdog on the other end produced a better first serve share and impressively marked 58 out of 83 points on it.
"Overall it was a good match. Aleksandra played some really good tennis," an elegant McHale commented about her rival. "She was serving really well and I found it hard to break her. I had my chances in the match, but I just couldn't capitalize on them."
Wozniak will next confront the Czech star, Barbora Zahlavova Strycova, who crushed Camila Giorgi with a breadstick to set-up this battle.
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