Kristina Barrois defeats Iveta Bensova; moves into the second round at Open GDF Suez
The German Kristina Barrois defeated Iveta Benesova of the Czech Republic in the first round of the Open Gaz de France tournament at Stade Pierre de Coubertin in Paris. After a marathon competition at the 19th edition
of the tournament, Barrios finally came on top with the score 5-7, 6-4 and 6-4.
It was a brilliant display of women tennis skills and resilience in the two hour fourteen minutes joust. The contest kept moving on equal terms as neither of the players was allowing the other to take the better of her. The only
difference among them was the more accurate serve of Barrios. Her serve percentage was quite remarkable and she belted seven aces to the opponent’s court. The German strived really hard to outplay her Czech rival and advance to the second round of the Open
GDF.
“It was a really close match. Every point was hard-fought,” Barrois reflected in her post-match reviews this Monday.
The German was bestowed with thirteen break points from her opponent and she converted four of them to her advantage. Her accurate serve helped her to exert pressure upon her rival right from the start. Benesova responded equally
well and dragged the opening set to 5-5. She accelerated her game to break past the German and clinch the first set 7-5.
The second set was no different from the first one and both females met head-to-head with each other. Exchange of belting winners and arms extending to reach the cross-angling strokes were frequently seen. The typical one-handed
backhand stroke of Barrois earned her plenty of points throughout the set. The German finally got her revenge by nabbing the second set to bring the match to even terms.
Barrios kept her momentum going in the decider, pressurising the Czech to commit unforced errors. She capitalized upon the breaking opportunity in the third set to seal victory to her name. The German was ecstatic on her win and
hopes to do even better in the coming matches.
Barrios next encounter will be with the 2011 Australian Open champion, Kim Clijsters, who is currently positioned at number 2 in the world’s rankings. She will take on the first spot in the ratings if she reaches the semi-final
of the Open GDF. Surely Clijsters will be putting all of her effort in her coming matches to regain the top position among women. Barrios had fought hard to beat the 45thseed Benesova and certainly will be straining even more against the in-form
Clijsters. Barrois has reflected that she will give her best shot but Clijsters is the favourite to win.
Tags: