Lucie Safarova survives first round scare against Margarita Gasparyan – Kremlin Cup 2012
World number 18, Lucie Safarova, was up against the 227th ranked Russian wildcard entrant, Margarita Gasparyan, in the opening clash of the Kremlin Cup in Moscow. On Monday, the 25-year-old Czech was expected to grind
her opponent but the proceedings went in opposite direction. However, Safarova managed to escape the scare in three sets 6-3, 4-6, 6-2.
Instead of finishing the encounter around an hour time, Safarova was forced to dig deep and battle for almost a couple of minutes above two hours time period. The opening set witnessed a breakthrough for the underdog in the early
stages. It gave her confidence to play her natural game but the comeback was witnessed in the sixth game when the Czech won a breakpoint to equalize the scores. The onslaught was kept intact that yielded another breakthrough for the eighth seed Czech. She
finished the opening phase with a comfortable serve hold.
A swap of breakpoints at the start of the second set was followed with successive serve holds at both ends. However, the 18-year-old Russian sneaked a breakpoint in the 10th game of the set that proved to be the final
action from that phase of the match. Stage was set for another tight battle in the final set but the lack of stamina of the wildcard entrant led to her downfall.
Safarova broke serve twice in the final set to take a resounding lead of 5-1. She won the contest with a serve hold to love and booked a date with her compatriot Klara Zakopalova.
In a press-conference at the end of the contest, Safarova stated, “The first rounds are always tough. I had never seen her play before, but she was pumped up and serving very well. I just kept fighting and although my level fell
down a little in the second set, I managed to raise it at the start of the third. I'm happy I won.”
She added afterwards, "Maybe a little bit more patience and experience got me through in the end. I like the conditions indoors, there is no wind, no sun, and the conditions are nice for the fans as well!"
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