Johanna Larsson ousts Lourdes Dominguez Lino; progresses to the semi-final –Swedish Open 2011
In a match that had local fans holding their breath, Johanna Larsson of Sweden triumphed over Lourdes Dominguez Lino 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 in the quarterfinal of the 2011 Collector Swedish Open on Thursday.
The 22-year-old, Larsson made a whopping effort to survive a mid match lapse against the fourth-seeded Dominguez before a three-set win. Both women battled for two hours and thirty minutes before Larsson, who was often faltering,
managed to take over a three-set win.
By the end of the match, Larsson hit a number of winners and 76 percent on her first serve to delight her fans by breaking Dominguez, booking a semi-final against compatriot, Sofia Arvidsson.
It was a quieter than usual Dominguez who took in a very intense Larsson. The Swede looked threatening and extremely determined throughout the match, chasing down everything despite having some tiresome matches earlier in the tournament.
Ultimately, it was Larsson who upset the fourth-seeded in three sets.
After winning the opener, Larsson seemed visibly weary and out of sorts during the second set, using her screaming fist pump to step on the gas when she needed to. Her movement was not as sharp as what her fans had seen in the
opener and Dominguez was able to draw her into long bruising rallies, winning the second set to even the score at one set apiece.
However, after losing the second set, she did not give up hope and started to use her brain more than her power to pass Dominguez in the decider. The young Swede showed her effortless shot making ability as well as the range of
pace and shot she had in her game and never allowed Dominguez get comfortable.
Dominguez’s volley and shot selection were poor at best while Larsson seemed to find casual accuracy on her serve and backhand that crippled the Spaniard with seven games to five.
As a matter of fact, Larsson’s serve worked extremely well during the match, allowing her to crunch winner after winner as her fourth-seeded opponent struggled repeatedly on serve.
As Larsson broke for 6-5 lead in the third set, it was pretty clear that the end was near for Dominguez and Larsson eventually took the match in three sets after two hours and 30 minutes.
Emerging victorious, the 22-year-old Larsson now marches on into the semi-final of the tournament where she will meet Sofia Arvidsson of Sweden.
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