Katie O'Brien edges closer to US Open
Britain’s no.2 Katie O’Brien reached the second round of U.S. Open qualifying matches after defeating Ukraine’s Lesya Tsurenko in the first round at Flushing Meadows with a score of 6-4 3-6, 6-2.
The match began at 11am local time and before rain interrupted it, O’Brien and Tsurenko had already played three games. O’Brien was 1-2 down at the break, games declining with serve. She took the first set 6-4, but unfortunately lost it in a second to go 3-6 down. However, she regained her strength to take the third set 6-2 finally winning the match in her own magnificent style. After the match, O’Brien said: “It was a bit scrappy. The conditions were difficult and I was hanging around a lot with the rain. We played three games initially and then went back on around 2pm, so we were off court for a good two and half hours. I was playing well, up until a set up and then I lost the plot a little bit in the second set. But after going 2-1 down in the third, I pulled it together well and I think I was a tougher competitor in the end.”
She added, “I had a few words with myself after the second set, not always positive ones! I have been in this situation quite a few times now so I feel I have got more experience than a lot of these players and I just tried to stick to my game plan and stay disciplined.” O’Brien’s next opponent will be the Japanese Misaki Doi, whose highest WTA ranking is 163. According to experts, it won’t be very difficult for Katie to beat Doi as she has already faced him last year. While commenting on this issue, O’Brien said, “I have played her before at the end of last year and won that one, so hopefully I can win again this time.” O’Brien is the only Briton in New York, who was playing to win that day. She looked relaxed and confident on the court, although, she was forced to wait all the day to play her match. Tsurenko played really well in the beginning, giving O’Brien tough competition but couldn’t make it to the end.
Katie O’Brien started her 2010 season by attempting to qualify for the ASB Classic in Auckland but unfortunately she lost the $220,000 match to Canadian Vaterie Tetreaul. Then she went for $600,000 Premier event in Sydney and again lost to Anastasia Rodionova in the first round. During the Australian Open, she performed well and defeated Austrian Patricia Mayr in the opening round. If O’ Brien wins the second round by defeating Doi, she will be very near to the U.S. Open. But, if she fails her career will be facing hurdles once again.
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