Ekaterina Makarova jumps over Maria Sanchez into the 2nd round – Cincinnati Open 2011
With more action and thrill, the first round fixtures of Cincinnati Open 2011, Premier 5 event, put forward the world’s best 64 women tennis stars at the Lindner Family Tennis Centre, Mason, Ohio.
Playing her first match of the event, Maria Sanchez went against Russian, Ekaterina Makarova. 23-year-old World No.40, Makarova, mind blew the Spaniard killing the match in straight sets 7-5, 6-3. Though she won, it took the Russian
105 minutes to finish off the two sets.
Playing her third match against the 23-year-old, Sanchez was unable to make her mark in the third attempt as well. Although, the Spaniard is well experienced and higher ranked than the young Russian, she lost all three matches
against the mesmerizing Makarova.
Challenging the Spaniard once again, the Russian left-hander put forward a massive defence. Her agility and reflexes did the job for her. Makarova also defeated the Spaniard in Rome earlier this year.
Entering the main draws as the lucky loser, the 29-year-old still remained a loser but not so lucky enough to get through the 1st round. The former World No.19, Sanchez, however, went off with a bang in her first round
match against the Russian.
Advancing to the opening game of the set, Sanchez served first to take over game 1, 1-0. Following the 29-year-old, Makarova levelled the scores after game 2, 1-1. Game 3 and 4 came with breakpoints one after the other for the
two with the scores once again levelled at 2-2.
Intensifying as it could get, the two then levelled scores at 3-3, 4-4 and on 5-5. However, the 23-year-old made a sudden move breaking the Spaniard in game 11 and finishing off with game 12 and winning the set 7-5. The Russian
secure 24 service points adding another 14 of returners totalling 38 to his first set win.
Set 2 started off as Sanchez served first but broke as the 23-year-old tormented the higher ranked Spaniard with her super quick returners. Makarova then increased her lead far beyond where no woman has gone before to 4-0 winning
consecutive games.
The Spaniard won her first game, game 5 and further on winning 7 and then the 8th with a breakpoint. However, breaking her opponent for the third time in the set, Makarova took over game 9 winning the set 6-3 and the
match 7-5, 6-3 and into the next round.
Makarova sits in the 2nd round of the Cincinnati Open 2011 to play against the 2nd seeded player, Vera Zvonareva, her country fellow. Zvonareva will play her first match as she won a buy into the 2nd round.
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