Kiki Bertens upsets Nadia Petrova in the opening clash – Rogers Cup 2012
World number 80, Kiki Bertens, stunned the 30-year-old Russian star, Nadia Petrova, in an epic three-setter to reach the second round of the Rogers Cup at Montreal. On the eve of Tuesday, the 20-year-old Dutch rallied from a set
down to win the match 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-4 in a battle of two hours and 20 minutes.
A swap of breakpoints coupled with another breakthrough for the Russian witnessed a cracking start to the encounter. Petrova held her serve in the following game and led the scores 3-1 before breaking serve for the third time in
a row and marching on with a stupendous lead of 4-1 in the first set.
Bertens fought back to win a breakthrough in the following game and held her serve for the first time in the match that also lowered the trail to 3-4. However, a tight serve hold after some scary moments helped the 21st
ranked Russian to strengthen her lead.
The Dutch lost three points upfront in the ninth game and after spraying two of the allotted breakpoints; Petrova converted the third one in her favour and won the opening set.
The second set witnessed an early breakpoint for the Russian who led the scores 3-0 at the start. However, a classic comeback from the Dutch booming starlet helped her diminish the trail and equalize the scores at 4-4. No more
drama witnessed a tie-breaker into play and Bertens edged her opponent in that battle.
Successive breakthroughs for both players witnessed a cheesy start to the final battle but Petrova was the one who lost the crucial breakpoint in the 10th game of the match to handover the win to the Dutch.
Bertens said, "In the beginning I wasn't playing so well, but I kept fighting and my level got better as the match went on. Every day my form is getting better on hard court, so I hope I can keep that going moving forward here."
"I've never played a Top 10 player; this will be my first time, so I hope I can enjoy it and play my best." She commented about her next opponent, Caroline Wozniacki.
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