Klara Zakopalova survives against Nadia Petrova in opening round – China Open 2011
Czech Klara Zakopalova survived a mid match lapse to do away with Russian Nadia Petrova in her first round match at the 2011 China Open in Beijing on Monday, 3rd October. The Czech struggled for an hour and forty seven
minutes before clinching a 6-3, 6-7(3), 6-1 win over the higher ranked Russian.
Playing each other for the fourth time, Zakopalova was able to level her head-to-head score to two matches each against the Russian. Previously, the Czech had lost to the Russian in Seoul last year.
Calling the coin toss, Zakopalova opted to serve first and successfully put herself on the scoreboard. What followed next was a series of breakpoint opportunities for the next five games with the Czech leading the score 4-2. Winning
on their serves from there on, Zakopalova served out the set at 5-3 to clinch a 6-3 win and lead in the set score.
With two aces and two double faults, Zakopalova registered almost double the percentage win on her first serve as Petrova as she led the set score.
Fighting to stay in the match, Petrova bounced back in the second set as she matched blow for blow with the Czech. With no breakpoint opportunities to either of the players, the set was forced into a tiebreaker. As if rejuvenated,
Petrova led to an impassable lead in the tiebreaker registering 6-0 on the scoreboard. Although the Czech managed to reel off three straight points, Petrova was able to serve out the tiebreaker to secure a 7-3 win for herself, bringing the set score to even
terms.
However, Petrova’s burst of energy was short-lived. Falling short in the decider, Petrova failed to save three of five breakpoint opportunities as she allowed Zakopalova to clinch a 5-1 lead early on. Serving out the set, Zakopalova
clinched a breadstick win and a berth in the second round of the match.
The Czech now moves on ahead to play the world number four Vera Zvonareva in the next round. Zvoanreva, seeded third in the event, received a bye into the second round.
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