Jamie Hampton defeats Kristina Kucova in the second round qualifiers of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix
Sixth seed Jamie Hampton of the United States had less trouble in dispensing Kristina Kucova of Slovakia in the second round qualifier clash of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix played at the Porsche Arena in Stuttgart, Germany on
Sunday. The 21-year-old American outclassed her opponent in straight sets, taking just 79 minutes of play to enter the final round of the qualifying draw of the WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) event.
The 20-year-old Slovakian failed to take down the more superior Hampton in the game, submitting the both sets to her with ease. Apart from her 74 per cent precise first serve, Kucova lagged behind the American opponent in every
segment of the game. She slopped a number of unforced errors, including five expensive double faults, which wore her out in the contest later.
Although Hampton delivered just 50 per cent of her first serve on target, she banged in six thudding aces, with her opponent firing none and secured 26 of 35 first serve points in the matchup. A total of 131 points were played
in the game, with the Slovak collecting 57 and Hampton bagging 74 en route to victory.
The Slovak had her chances in the game, which she didn’t avail to let her opponent away with the victory. Kucova cashed in just three of eight break chances in the game while the American converted six of 10 break points to get
the competitive edge over her opponent. The Slovak hung in the opener for some time, breaking the American serve twice but dropped her own serve at four occasions to fritter away the advantage. Hampton’s below par first serve of 49 per cent earned him 12 of
19 points to assist her to seal off the first set at 6-4.
Kucova slumped further in the next set, coughing three costly double faults and nabbing just 26 of 62 total points being played. The magnificent American clinched 14 of 16 first serve points, along with four fiery aces to register
three serve breaks in the second set. The Slovak broke her opponent’s serve once but it wasn’t enough for her to bounce back in the contest. The 20-year-old had no option but to submit the game to the strong American opponent at 2-6.
Hampton needs one more win to qualify for the main draws of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix. Her next opponent is the Croatian, Ana Vrljic, who outplayed Zarina Diyas of Kazakhstan in the second round of the qualifying round at Stuttgart.
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