Estrella Candela defeats Arantxa Santonja in the first round of the Barcelona Ladies Open
World number 245 Estrella Cabeza Candela of Spain continued to display her brilliant tennis skills by defeating compatriot Arantxa Parra Santonja in the first round of the 2011 Barcelona Ladies Open at Barcelona, Spain, on Monday,
the 25th of April. She defeated her compatriot with a 6-3, 7-5 score line, not taking more than one hundred minutes of play. It is the 5th edition of the tournament and is being played at the David Lloyd Club Turo from April 25 through
May 1, 2011.
The 24-year-old Candela presented impressive tennis skills and moved past her opponent with straight sets. The two-handed backhand, Candela was very aggressive in her game and took the match away with her powerful strokes. Santonja,
ranked 68th in the world, was unable to perceive her opponent’s gameplay and couldn’t bounce back.
Candela committed three double faults and hit 44 percent of first serves in the first set. She brilliantly won 64 percent of points on her first serves and 57 percent of points on her second serves which actually showed her mind
strength and serving capability. Santonja on the other hand committed one double fault and hit 39 percent of her first serves. She won 60 percent of points on her first serves and 39 percent of points on her second serves. Candela clinched 75 percent of her
breakpoint opportunities in the set and claimed it with a 6-3 score line.
In the final set, Candela kept her momentum flowing and hit 77 percent of her first serves. She won 67 percent of points on her first serves and 22 percent of points on her second serves. Santonja on the other hand played a lot
better this time and won 60 percent of points on her first serves and 45 percent of points on her second serves. Unluckily she couldn’t clinch the breakpoints on time and lost the final set with a 5-7 score.
Candela will face Alexandra Dulgheru of Romania in the second round of the tournament. She is a second seed at the tournament and moved past Zuzana Kucova of Slovakia in straight sets to reach the second spot.
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