Daniela Hantuchova defeats Flavia Pennetta in 2nd round – Western & Southern Open 2011
Clearing off with the 2nd round fixture of the Cincinnati Open 2011, Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia met and defeated 29-year-old Italian, Flavia Pennetta at the Lindner Family Tennis Centre here on Wednesday, 17th August.
Playing against each other for the fourth time in history, the two clashed head-to-head on hard court resulting in a 6-3, 6-4 win for the Slovakian world No.23. However, the rivalry is yet on equal terms as out of the four, each
has won two matches.
Hantuchova has the advantage playing on the hard court as she had been more in practice at the fast circuit that on slow. However, the Italian has a greater success ratio on clay than that on hard circuit. Nevertheless, she still
managed to level terms with the Slovakian.
Starting off with the first set of the match, the 28-year-old served first to open the set saving a breakpoint to lead 1-0. The world No.23 then broke the Italian in game 2 extending his lead to 2-0 and then to 3-0. Finally, breaking
the nerve, the Italian got away with a game but could not really get hold of the Slovakian’s lead.
Hantuchova maintained her dominance over the Italian world No.25 and eventually took over the first set winning 6-3. Along with a rock solid defence, the 28-year-old managed to secure 82 percent points of her first serve and 60
percent of her second. The Slovakian totalled 32 points along with 23 service points and just 9 return points.
Moving on to the second set, the Italian kicked off serving first and went off with a flyer. Winning game 1, the 29-year-old then broke her Challenger in the second set to lead 2-0. However, the Slovakian retaliated and broke back
in the game 3 and levelled score in the next game, 2-2.
The second set once again came at a tie at 3-3 before Hantuchova broke again in game 7 taking the lead 4-3. She then extended her lead winning on her serve and eventually taking away the set 6-4 and the match 6-3, 6-4.
Hantuchova played better returners in the second set compared to that in the first. However, she did get a scare at the start of the set but managed to gain back her momentum and win.
In addition to 23 points in the first set, the Slovakian secured another 35 totalling 67 to his 2nd round win.
Hantuchova is now a 3rd round contender waiting to play against her rival from France, Marion Bartoli.
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