Erakovic/Watson sideline Benesova/Strycova to qualify for the final - Texas Tennis Open 2012
Marina Erakovic and Heather Watson disposed the Czech tennis professionals Iveta Benesova and Barbora Zahlavova Strycova, 6-7(5), 6-4, 10-7, after a tough competition in the semi-finals on Thursday. The women’s doubles encounter
lasted for a total of one hour and 43 minutes approximately.
The Czech duo held their opening serve and kicked off a 1-0 lead, immediately the scores levelled to 1-1. The New Zealander- British tandem picked a slow start in the set, equalizing the scores to 4-all in the middle stages
of the set. Both sides fought a fierce battle against each other and eventually the game ended with a tie-breaker round and the Czech pair came out as a surprise winner at 7-6(5).
Erakovic and Watson pounced one aces and never committed any double fault in the initial set. They had an average first serve percentage of 63, clinching 19 of 24 first serve points. They managed to pull off merely one out
of six break points in the set. On the other hand, Benesova/Strycova could not strike any aces and double faulted twice. However, they had a relatively better first serve percentage of 73, bagging 21 of 29 first serve points. From two break points they secured
only one, yet winning the set in the end.
The Kiwi-British duo was unable to hold its serve in the second set and lost the initial two games to suffer early damage, with the Czech pair taking advantage and establishing a 2-love score. Gradually, the game shifted
momentum and Erakovic/Watson equalized their rival’s scores twice in the set and eventually nudged a 6-4 score line to level the match at one-all.
Benesova/Strycova barely managed to hit one ace against their rival and double faulted once too. They had a reasonable first serve percentage of 60, attaining 11 of 18 first serve points. Erakovic and Watson recorded 62 percent
as their first serve on target and successfully bagging 14 of 18 points on it. They managed to pick two of four break points in the closing set.
In the decisive set of the match, the Kiwi-British professionals maintained their lead since the start of the super tie-break. They banged their rivals with remarkable second deliveries and returns, concluding the match with
their 7-10 win.
Erakovic/Watson are drawn against Dekmeijere/Falconi in the final and have a fair chance to upset their rivals.
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