Mandy Minella upsets Mathilde Johansson in the opening round – Whirlpool Monterrey Open 2012
Luxembourgian contender, Mandy Minella, rallied past the seventh seed, Mathilde Johansson, in a three set nail-biter at the Whirlpool Abierto Monterrey 2012 on Tuesday. She manipulated a 6-1, 5-7, 7-6(5) victory against the French to advance into the second round at this WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) International event taking place in Monterrey, Mexico.
The Luxembourgian edged past the seed in the final set tie-breaker to claim her first victory in their fourth outing. She was leading 6-1, 3-1 but after losing six out of the next eight games, Minella lost the second set. The 26-year-old, Minella, dragged the final set to a tie-breaker and prevailed in it to pocket the match in two hours and 20-minutes.
"It was a very difficult match. I fought hard for the victory and I'm very happy right now," the Luxembourgian said in a post-match conference. "I think I was more aggressive today, and that was the key. She was playing very well too, especially later in the match."
World number 94, Minella, stayed on track to claim her maiden WTA career title and pulled out the breadstick in the opening set.
The Luxembourgian carried her rhythm in the following set and after cashing in the only break chance, she went 3-1 up. However, Minella stepped off the gas after this.
Ranked 97th in the WTA rankings, Johansson took full advantage of this. She converted two out of three break opportunities to her advantage and eventually sealed the equaliser with a 7-5 win.
In the final set, both contestants displayed their best tennis but the unseeded Luxembourgian was the one to steal the show. Minella saved three out of five breakpoints she faced and broke the French’s serve twice to impose a tie-breaker. She prevailed in it and clinched the decider with a 7-6(5) score line.
"I think I have a lot more confidence now. I'm at my highest ranking," Minella was quoted. "I've been improving a lot the last few years. I've been playing better tennis and am at a different level than in previous years, I believe."
Next challenge for Minella is the wild card entrant, Yaroslava Shvedova, who battled past her qualifying compatriot, Sessil Karatantcheva, in three sets to occupy this place.
Fourth seeded Alexandra Dulgheru will join Johansson towards the exit doors. The Romanian broke her rival’s serve three times but saved only half of the 12 breakpoints she encountered, ultimately suffering a 3-6, 3-6 shock in almost one and a half hour duel.
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