Estrella Candela battles past Eva Birnerova into the quarterfinal – Budapest Grand Prix 2011
Spanish qualifier Estrella Cabeza Candela battled past Czech tennis pro Eva Birnerova 7-6 (4)- 6-3 on Thursday to advance into the quarterfinal of 2011 POLI-FARBE Budapest Grand Prix in Hungary. Candela was given a tough time in
the opening set that was decided through a tie-breaker. However in the second set, she was on top of her game to ensure her victory in straight sets.
Candela has given some impressive results on the red surface since the Women’s Tennis Association tournament has started. In the first round play, she crushed Italian Corinna Dentoni 6-3, 6-1 in straight sets. The 24-year-old has
improved her game play with every passing round and now she is eyeing her first ever WTA title here in Hungary.
Looking for a place in the last eight, Candela made a very competitive start to the match. Despite suffering a serve break on her first service game, Candela came back strongly as she broke straight back to level the terms.
Several serve breaks were exchanged by the contestants in the opener as the set went into a tie-breaker. Candela showed no signs of nerves as she secured three straight points to clinch the tie-breaker and take the set score lead
1-0.
Having dented her opponent’s confidence levels greatly, the Spaniard continued to play her natural game with freedom in the second set as well. Breaking the serve early, she gained complete control over the contest with 3-1 lead.
Birnerova broke back from nowhere to add spice to the situation. However Candela converted another break chancet in seventh game of the set to take a crucial 5-3 lead, serving for the match. Converting a long rally in her favour, Candela wrapped up the contest
that lasted for more than one hour and 53 minutes.
Candela hit an impressive 74 per cent first serve while she also dominated her opponent in the serve return department with a 56 per cent share of the points. Showing admirable clay court skills, she created all sorts of problems
for her opponent from the baseline. Converting seven out eleven break points in the match, she wasted very few chances. Ranked 199th in the world, Candela will be facing Romanian Irina Camelia-Begu in the quarterfinal. Number seven seed Begu thrashed
out Ajla Tomljanovic 6-4, 6-4 to reach that far.
Birnerova, who stunned Lucie Hradecka in her previous match, failed to capitalize on a good start and lost track completely in the second set. She had her chances to break Candela but her game’s level dropped every time she played
for a big point. She will be hoping to make a strong come back on her next WTA appearance.
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