Daniela Hantuchova stuns Marion Bartoli; reaches the quarterfinal – Western & Southern Open 2011
Slovakian tennis pro Daniela Hantuchova upset Frenchwoman Marion Bartoli 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 on Thursday to make it to the quarterfinal of 2011 Western Southern Open here Ohio, United States.
Hantuchova has been in decent form since the start of this season. She made it to the fourth round of 2011 Roland Garros in May. In her previous match-up, she defeated Flavia Pennetta in straight sets. Looking in good touch, Hantuchova
will be hoping to continue her great run on the hard court surface by making it to the final stages of the Women’s Tennis Association tournament.
Having won a title already in the year 2011, the Slovakian will be hoping to lift fifth WTA title of her career. However in order to survive in a field full of fierce competitors at the Cincinnati Open, she must bring more consistency
into her game play.
Bartoli came back well in the second set but she was outran by her opponent in a tiring match that lasted for nearly 3 hours. Ranked 9th in the world, Bartoli has done reasonably well this year with 42 victories out
60 appearances on the WTA tour. The 26-year-old had done exceptionally well to get to the third round of the tournament. However, she wasted too many chances in her third round match-up against Hantuchova and paid the price.
Hantuchova had a solid start to the match as she broke her opponent early in the opening set to take control of things. Timing the ball really well, she smashed her big forehand and backhand winners all over the court. Saving certain
breaks points against herself, the 28-year-old showed great defensive skills on a fast surface. Striking the ball fiercely, she pushed her opponent right back to the baseline from where she created difficult angles.
Leading 5-3 in the set, Hantuchova had her second break chance. Converting it with a well disguised drop shot, she took the set score lead 1-0.
Bartoli bounced back brilliantly in the following set. The number nine seed looked down and out after the end of the opening set. But she showed great fighting spirit and determination in the following set to force the match into
the final set. After both players exchanged several serve breaks, the balance shifted from one side to the other. Leading 6-5, Bartoli broke her serve for the third time in the set to event he set score 1-1.
Hantuchova regrouped herself and played her A-game in the decider. Breaking her opponent three times, she raced to an impassable lead. Capitalizing, world number 28 completed an emphatic victory. Hantuchova’s next round opponent
will be Vera Zvonareva.
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