Kristina Mladenovic overcomes Madison Brengle into the second round – Bell Challenge 2012
World number 123, Kristina Mladenovic of France, survived the second set scare to claim victory over USA’s Madison Brengle in three sets 6-4, 6-7(6), 6-4 in the first round of the Bell Challenge in Quebec City.
Mladenovic and Brengle won their serve in the first four games to take the score to 2-2. The American participant hit first blow in the fifth to move ahead 3-2 but her opponent did not take much time to level it at 3-3. The Frenchwoman grabbed two more games
successively to attain a 5-3 advantage but the back and forth trend continued and Brengle broke back in the ninth to bring the contest on serve, with the score being 5-4 in favour of Mladenovic. Brengle could not hold at that moment and went down 4-6.
The French player banged two aces and spilled two double faults in the opening set. The 19-year-old had below average statistics on her serve, as she kept the first delivery percentage at 52 and secured nine of the 15 points on them. The 5ft 11in tall fared
superbly on her second returns, clinching 10 of the 13.
Mladenovic and Brengle traded two strikes in the first eight games of the second set, evening it out at 4-4. The rest of the proceedings went with serve, taking the score to 6-6 and forcing a tie-breaker. The was a tough battle afterwards, as both players
went neck to neck to 6-6 but the American contestant captured two consecutive points in the end to close it 7-6(6).
Brengle hit one ace and committed two double faults, maintaining a first serve percentage of 65 and pocketing 18 of the 28 points on them in the second set.
Mladenovic made a good beginning in the final set, as she claimed a breakthrough in the first game and consolidated on it to take a 2-0 lead. The Frenchwoman capitalised on her advantage and managed to win it 6-4.
The teenager needed two hours and 21 minutes to score this close win over her opponent.
Mladenovic is drawn take on Germany’s Annika Beck for a place in the last-eight stage.
Tags: