Lucie Safarova labours past Petra Martic into the finals – e-Boks Sony Ericsson Open 2011
In a far from classic performance, Lucie Safarova fought through a determined opponent, Petra Martic to advance 1-6, 6-4, 6-2 into the finals of e-Boks Sony Ericsson Open for the first time in her career.
Martic, ranked 112 in the world, was not expected to pose many problems for Safarova. Reality has a habit of trumping expectation though and in a tough match between the two energetic women, Safarova managed to end up on the winning
side in three sets.
It was Martic who dominated the first set and won it with some flashy winners and aggressive play while Safarova’s game just was not there. Continuing her ascent, Martic broke Safarova in the very first game to grab the early advantage.
Martic broke the Czech one after the other and after a successful hold on serve, the Croatian was able to go one up in the set score as she clinched a breadstick win.
The 20-year-old Croat won a total of 17 of 32 points on her service, 71 percent on return and a total of 61 points en route to the second set.
However, in the second set the Czech’s level increased while the Croat’s mind and game wandered slightly leaving her an early break down. But with errors creeping into Martic’s game, she was unable to get back into the set leaving
Safarova claiming the set 6-4.
Taking the set score to one-all, Safarova served two aces and 57 percent on her first serve. In addition she won 56 percent of points on her first serve, 47 percent on return and a total of 28 of 52 in the second set.
By now Martic was becoming more weary and was immediately broken at the start of the third set. Safarova, sensing that Martic was tiring, became more and more dominant and broke serve again with a string of unforced errors from
Martic. Maintaining her dominance over the lower ranked opponent, Safarova consolidated on her opponent’s unforced errors to lead the score 2-0. However, fighting back hard, Martic reduced the deficit to 2-2. A well timed forehand winner down the line in
the eighth game, gave Safarova a 6-2 victory in the third set.
Martic will be disappointed with this defeat, especially after the way the first set went. It now leaves more time for her to prepare for the AEGON International starting in two days time. Safarova on the other hand, will hope
to win the title match for the first time in her career.
Her next opponent in the title race will be the defending champion and world number one, Caroline Wozniacki. Wozniacki enjoyed a straights sets victory against the unseeded Mona Barthel in the semi-finals.
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