Kai-Chen Chang stuns Christina McHale in the first round – HP Japan Women’s Open 2012
Third seeded Christina McHale received a straight-set shocker at the hands of the Chinese Taipei contender, Kai-Chen Chang, in the opening round of the HP Japan Women’s Open 2012 held at the hard courts of Osaka. The Chinese professional
consolidated his 6-3, 7-6(5) after a fierce battle, that lasted for nearly two hours on Monday.
21-year-old Chang commenced the match at a very steady pace and dissolved the higher ranked American’s very first serve, stamping a 2-0 lead. McHale pulled back a couple of games in response, squaring down the score line to 2-all.
The Taipei professional made a quick breakthrough, displaying her greater experience and stamped a 4-2 break in the sixth game. Suddenly, this turned the situation and the American participant seemed to have lost her former rhythm. Chang keenly took the front
stage and laid down a 6-3 score.
The 20-year-old American contender had a relatively better initial serve of 64 percent with eight of 18 first and five of 10 second delivery points. She received four break points and only capitalized on one and his challenger
secured two of five. The right-hander Chinese had a lower first serve of 50 percent, converting a good score of 10 of 14 first and eight of 14 second serve points.
World number 32, McHale, battled hard to retain her lost glory but she seemed completely out of practice. Chang sustained her impetus and grabbed the initial three games without facing any resistance. However, the American started
to regain her focus to reverse the bitter fortune. McHale's realization brought the spice in the game and the score line levelled down three times. Eventually, fortune favoured the Chinese senior and she swiftly concluded the set with a 7-6(5) win after a
tough tiebreaker round.
The Chinese professional maintained a better initial serve precision of 71 percent, with 20 of 35 points. The American junior secured 68 percent initial serve with 20 of 36 first and only six of 17 second serve points.
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