Lauren Davis shocks Mandy Minella to reach main draw – Internationaux de Strasbourg 2012
American contender, Lauren Davis, bounced back to outclass the Luxembourgian star, Mandy Minella, in a three set thriller at the Internationaux de Strasbourg 2012 on Monday. She hit back to register a 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 success against the qualifying third seed
to enter the opening round at this WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) clay court event held in France.
Davis showed tremendous skills at this International-level tournament and despite trailing 2-6, 0-2, she rebounded and carved out the victory in two hours and 18 minutes. Facing each other for the first time, the 18-year-old assertively booked a place in
the main draw.
The world number 84 thundered into the opening set and drew the first blood in the opening game to jump to a 2-0 lead. She capitalised on another break chance in the fifth game extended her lead to 4-1. Apart from losing her serve in the very next game,
Minella broke the American’s serve again and then served out the opener with a 6-2 victory.
The American teenager carried her drastic ways in the follow-up set and endured the first blow in the opening game to fall at 0-2. However, she stayed focused and not only recovered in the fourth game but got the breakthrough in the eighth game, eventually
sealing the equaliser by winning six games to three. Davis brilliantly brushed off seven out of eight breakpoints she faced and cashed in two out of three break chances.
Ranked 169th in the WTA Premier Rankings, Davis kept momentum rolling into the final set and earned the coveted break in the opening game to take the initial lead. In spite of losing her edge in the proceeding game, the American broke Minella’s
serve again and jumped to a 3-1 lead. She then swiped in remaining serves and clinched the decider with a 6-4 score line.
Overall, the American manifested a higher first serve share of 76 per cent as compared to her rival’s 60 per cent and amazingly availed 41 out of 76 points on it. She also sought 12 break opportunities and amazingly warded off 12 out of 17 breakpoints she
came across to earn the spotlight. Davis fully capitalised on three double faults the Luxembourgian committed and sealed the match with 96 points.
The teenager will confront the Swedish challenger, Johanna Larsson, in the opening round.
Minella on the other hand became a lucky loser and she is next scheduled to play Czech Republic’s Lucie Hradecka.
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