Ekaterina Makarova stoops to Polona Hercog in the second round – China Open 2012
A battle of two hours and 48 minutes between the 90th ranked Slovenian star, Polona Hercog, and the 20th ranked Russian superstar, Ekaterina Makarova, thrilled the crowd at the hard courts arena of Beijing.
Both players mat blow-by-blow before the 24-year-old Russian stooped in the final set tie-breaker and allowed the 21-year-old Slovenian qualifier to book a spot in the third round of the contest. Final scores of the match were 7-6(5), 3-6, 7-6(3).
It was an absolute cracker of a game. In the past, the 20th ranked Russian had won two head-to-head matches against Hercog and never lost any battle. So, the odds were definitely in her favour especially considering
the disparity of rankings and experience but the on paper result was trashed by the marvellous display of the Slovenian star who didn’t surrender in any stage of the match.
Hercog commenced the match with a serve hold and coupled it with a breakthrough. She took a lead of 3-0 early in the match but the comeback from the Russian was emphatic enough to equalize the scores at 4-4. No drama at either
end enforced the tie-breaker round into play and the 21-year-old Slovenian qualifier edged her opponent after a brilliant fight.
Makarova was expected to bounce back in the contest. Although she lost the opening game of the second set, a breakpoint in the second game followed by two breakpoints in the latter half of the set helped her to post a comfortable
second phase victory against her rival. Stage was set for an epic finale and the Russian was chosen to be the hot favourite for that.
Makarova started off brilliantly; took a lead of 4-0 courtesy a double breakthrough at the start and was on course to win the set with ease. She led the scores 5-2 in the meantime and prepared herself to serve for the set. Hercog
found some motivation out of nowhere and held her opponent twice to keep the set alive. A serve hold at both ends enforced another tie-breaker and again the mini-breaks went in favour of the Slovenian who will play the likes of the Russian second seed, Maria
Sharapova, in the third round.
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