Lucie Hradecka downs Lauren Davis to reach the semi-finals – Bell Challenge 2012
Eighth seeded player of Czech Republic, Lucie Hradecka, faced limited resistance in beating USA’s Lauren Davis in straight sets 6-4, 6-2 in the quarter-finals of the Bell Challenge on Friday. These hard courts in the Canada’s Quebec
City have suited the game of the Hradecka, who is a doubles specialist.
Although, the Czech contestant did not have a good start, losing opening two games to go down 0-2. However, Hradecka broke back immediately and held her serve in the fourth to even out the proceedings at 2-2. The Czech player struck
again in the fifth game and consolidated on it to gain a 4-2 advantage. Hradecka maintained her lead till the end to clinch the opening set 6-4.
The 27-year-old bombarded five aces on Davis but she wasted her advantage to some extent, as she also committed three double faults. The Prague, Czech Republic resident had a decent conversion rate on her first serves, winning
14 of the 19 points on them. The right-hander could not save one of the three break points she faced but converted two of the five she received in the opener.
Hradecka and Davis started the second set by winning their opening serve to level the proceedings at 1-1. The Czech participant hit blows to Davis in the third and seventh game, capitalising on the double advantage to seal it 6-2.
The 5ftf 10in tall grabbed most of the points on her first deliveries and second replies, pocketing nine of the 12 and five of the seven points on them respectively in the second set. The Czech player utilised two of the three
break opportunities she created and put away both threats she came across in the second set.
After the match, Hradecka said, "My game tonight was exactly what I needed to play against her. She has a lot of spin and in the beginning I was rushing a little bit too much, so I just stayed calm and started playing within myself."
She added, "I heard a lot of good things about this tournament from my doubles partner, who was here last year. It's my first time and everything is great. It's also nice for me to be playing just singles here - in the last few
months I was playing a lot of doubles!"
Hradecka is drawn to face French qualifier, Kristina Mladenovic, for a place in the last-four stage of the event.
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