Dia Evtimova bounces over Ani Mijacika to enter main draw – Nurnberger Gastein Ladies 2012
Qualifying top seed, Dia Evtimova, made an epic comeback to outclass the Croatian starlet, Ani Mijacika, in a three-set thriller at the qualifying competition of Nurnberger Gastein Ladies on Monday. She nudged up a 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory against the 24-year-old
to secure a place in the main draw at this WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) International tournament held in Bad Gastein, Austria.
The Bulgarian star showed her top class at the qualifying competition and eventually carved out the victory in their second meeting. After pocketing this match in two hours and six minutes, Evtimova not only avenged her loss at the Maribor WTA event three
years ago but also charged into the main draw.
The world number 237, Mijacika, thundered into the Austrian red clay courts and drew the first blood in the second game to take a 2-0 lead. Despite losing her edge in the very next game, she broke the Bulgarian’s serve again and leaped to a 4-1 lead. The
Croat held her remaining serves and eventually pulled out the opener with a 6-3 score line.
Evtimova re-focused in the proceeding set and went on a four-game tear. Regardless of losing her following two serves, she got the upper hand again after capitalising on another break chance in the eighth game and then serves out the equaliser with a 6-3
win.
The final set saw both contenders displaying their best tennis. However, the seed dominated in the end and carved out the victory with a 6-3 success. After Mijacika snatched her third break back at 3-3, the Bulgarian unveiled her skills and wiped out the
last three games in a row. She was broken three times but cashed in all five break chances to bag the decider.
Up next for Evtimova is the local wildcard entrant, Barbara Haas, in the opening round.
The qualifying second seed, Jana Cepelova, will accompany Evtimova in the main draw. She crippled the Spanish rising star, Leticia Costas-Moreira, with a breadstick to progress. The Slovak capitalised on five out of 13 break chances to manipulate a 6-1,
6-2 victory.
Cepelova will confront eighth seeded Johanna Larsson in the first round.
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