Greta Arn posts resounding win against Elena Baltacha in final qualifying round – Rogers Cup 2011
Playing the second qualifying round of the Rogers Cup 2011 at the Rexall Centre, York University, Toronto, was Greta Arn and Elena Baltacha. The Hungarian (Arn) sent the Briton (Baltacha) staggering back to the lockers by securing
an notable win of 7-6(5), 6-3 in two hours and twelve minutes of run of the mill play.
Prior to this event the two players had taken to the courts thrice in their career and the last time they met was at the Tokyo Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo, Japan where Arn had won 6-0 6-7(5) 6-3 and lead the head to head at 3-0.
Arn’s accuracy faltered 2 as she struck a line fault and as well as a net ball, but managed to smash four aces during the set.
The 32-year-old Arn was serving first and won the pitch, she administered to win 64% of her total service points against Elena, who was only able to win 26 out of 41 points. Her return serve was an average display of re-coiling
shots that enabled her to win a mere 37% of her total return points.
The Hungarian defence was strong and she allowed only a single break point opportunity to her opponent while breaking her adversary once, whereas, the British defence had faltered as she was not able to save the only break point
on serve.
Baltacha too had a strong serve which won her a percent less than her opponents, making it 63% of her total service points but her return was an appalling 36% in the set and thus, lost a majority of her points, costing her the
set.
Amidst the second set the 27-year-old Briton perfected her serve and struck zero double faults while her opponent had struck a line fault and both the players threw an ace each.
The world number 69 Arn’s assertive ground strokes won her 20 out of 30 service points, making it a praiseworthy 67% win against Baltacha who was lacking with her serve and was barely capable of winning 58% in the total service
points of the second set.
The 32-year old (Arn) had a good return which enabled her to win an exceptional 42% of her total return points, which were 9% more than her challenger's.
The Hungarian did not allow a single break point as she was capable of saving both her break points and instead capitalized on 67% of her opponent’s break points whereas, the 27-year old Briton (Baltacha) was barely able to save
one break point.
Greta Arn triumphed with a mere five points more than Elena Baltacha and secured a place in the main draw of the event.
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