Daniela Hantuchova glides over difficult Na Li to reach quarterfinals – AEGON International 2011
It may sound like a surreal statement, but it’s true that Daniela Hantuchova has progressed into the quarterfinals of AEGON International yesterday, after beating Na Li of China, who has been recently crowned as the 2011 French
open titlist.
Hantuchova, who beat Chinese qualifier Jie Zheng to reach the second round of the tournament, claimed her third win in five meetings with the Chinese woman after prevailing 7-6(7), 6-3 in two hours and eighteen minutes.
Although both women made plenty of double-faults in the match, Hantuchova will be pleased to have successfully built on her improved showing in Birmingham last week. With this win, Hantuchova has extended her year-to-date win/loss
mark to 25/17 matches and not to mention, she now stands at a 3-2 lifetime edge against the Chinese woman.
Hantuchova’s ability to keep making her opponent play the extra balls was crucial to some extent in her second round win against the Chinese. Despite facing a tough challenge in the opening games, Hantuchova quickly settled into
her stride and eventually wore down the 2011 French Open champion, who could not keep a tight rein on her errors and lost the first set with a 7-9 score. After losing the first set in a tie-breaker, Hantuchova upped the level of her game while Li faded fast.
Hantuchova, however, took command from the second set as Li dropped serve with a number of unforced errors. The Chinese clung on two games later, saving three break points, but was broken again when she served at 3-5, and Hantuchova
took the set with a thumping forehand winner down the line.
For now, the Chinese woman must put aside memories of her delightful win at the French Open, and should start focusing on the next challenge starting on Monday. She will hope to at least replicate her performance last year in progressing
to the quarterfinals of Wimbledon, a stage she also reached in 2006.
Hantuchova on the other hand, will continue her run at the Eastbourne, as she squares off against former world number Venus Williams on Thursday.
The American star is at 2-1 this season, as she has been plagued by injuries and that is the main reason why she is toiling at No. 33. Hantuchova, by contrast, owns plenty of points from her recent performances and comes in at
25th in the rankings. The 5’11” Slovakian owns a 24-17 record after succumbing to Sabine Lisicki in the title match of AEGON Classic, one week ago. Hantuchova may have the edge in current form, but a grass court should help Williams use her big
serve en route to straight sets victory.
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