Hlavackova/Hradecka down Errani/Vinci in the quarter-finals – BNP Paribas Open 2012
Third seeded Czechs, Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka, eased past the Italian duo of Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci, in straight sets at the BNP Paribas Open 2012 on Wednesday. They formulated a 6-2, 7-6(4) victory over the fifth seeds to advance into
the semi-finals at this WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) hard court event held in Indian Wells, California.
Hlavackova and Hradecka outshined their rivals in the second set tie-breaker to bag the match in their third meeting. After overpowering the Italians in almost one and a half hour battle, they not only avenged their loss in the semis of the Australian Open
but also took lead in their head-to-head series by 2-1.
The Czech tandem assertively entered the Indian Wells Tennis Garden and after drawing the first blood in the fourth game, they consequently leaped to a 4-1 lead. Later, they held their remaining serves and cashed in another break chance in the last game
to clinch the set with a 6-2 score line. Hlavackova and Hradecka showed excellent defensive skills as they fended off all five breakpoints they encountered to earn the limelight.
The frustrated Italians on the other side of net showed some resistance in the following set. They sought four break chances and converted one to their advantage in the fifth game, eventually going 4-2 up.
Hlavackova and Hradecka re-gathered their strength after that and snatched their break back in the eighth game to level the scores at 4-4. Later they held remaining serves but squandered remaining break opportunities, subsequently enforcing a tie-breaker.
The Czechs outmuscled the lower ranked team in it and sealed the set with a 7-6(4) win.
Overall, the third seeds were clearly the better team throughout the match. The Czechs committed fewer unforced errors, sought 10 break chances and saved eight out of nine breakpoints they faced. Hradecka and Hlavackova also produced a better first serve
share of 69 per cent in contrast with the Italians’ 55 per cent and brilliantly availed 35 out of 46 points on it.
Next challenge for the Czechs is the second seeded junction of Sania Mirza and Elena Vesnina. The Defending champions dumped the Argentinean wild card entrants in straight sets to occupy this position.
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