Keren Shlomo overpowers Stephanie Kent to reach quarters – Potchefstroom ITF 2012
Israeli starlet, Keren Shlomo, rallied past the American qualifier, Stephanie Kent, in a three-set mouth-watering battle at the Potchefstroom ITF 2012 on Wednesday. She juggled up a 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-2 victory against the qualifier to power into the final eight
at this ITF Women’s Circuit event taking place from 3rd to 9th December in Potchefstroom, South Africa.
Seeded third in this event, Shlomo made a sloppy start at this ITF (International Tennis Federation) Women’s Circuit event. However, she upped a gear in the proceeding set and ultimate pocketed the match in almost two and a half hour. With this victory,
the Israeli progressed into the last eight and moved a step closer towards her maiden ITF crown.
The 22-year-old made quick in-roads at the Fanie du Toit Sports Stadium. She got the coveted break early in the set and took the initial lead. Despite losing her edge in the sixth game, the American held her serves and took the set to a tie-breaker. She
prevailed in it and eventually sealed the opener with a 7-6(4) win.
Ranked 489th in the WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) Premier Rankings, Shlomo drew the first blood in the second game and cruised to a 3-0 lead. She then held her composure and swiped her remaining serves, eventually sealing the equaliser by winning
six games to three. The Israeli cashed the lone break chance and brushed off all three breakpoints she faced to get back in contention.
Shlomo kept momentum rolling in the deciding set. After Kent held her serve in the fourth game, the Israeli went on a four-game rampage and pulled out the decider with a 6-2 score line. She dusted away both breakpoints she came across and converted two out
of three break chances to her advantage.
The 24-year-old snapped out from a five-match losing streak after entering this tournament. She slaughtered the local challenger, Alison Brigette Sanders, with double bagels in her opening match.
Shlomo will face off her qualifying compatriot, Lee Or, in the last eight. Or upset the eighth seed, Erin Clark from United States, in straight sets to set up this meeting.
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