Maria Sanchez stuns local Patricia Mayr-Achleitner to lift trophy – NURNBERGER Gastein Ladies 2011
Spanish tennis pro Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez defeated Patricia Mayr-Achleitner of Austria in straight sets 6-0, 7-5 on Sunday to lift third Women’s Tennis Association trophy of her career. Sanchez looked in incredible form right
from the start of the match as she required only one hour and 31 minutes to floor her opponent on the red clay courts of Bad Gastein, Austria.
Sanchez’s amazing serving proved to be the main difference between the two women as she fired 9 serves aces in the match. Mayr-Achleitner on the other hand looked out of sorts early on as she struggled to get any timing on her
shots what so ever. Making five costly double faults at crucial moments of the match, she really did not help herself.
Sanchez took complete advantage of her opponent’s inability to stay in the rally as she out lasted Mayr-Achleitner on several occasions. Breaking the serve three times, she pocketed the opener in blink of an eye.
Having gained complete control of the contest, the Spaniard was expecting an easy straight sets victory but Mayr-Achleitner had other ideas. Sanchez lost her concentration a bit as the second set started. Mayr-Achleitner made the
most of available opportunities and broke the serve twice to race to a 4-1 lead in the second set. Just when it seemed that the match was going into the final set, Sanchez raised the level of her game and started to time the ball incredibly well.
Breaking back twice, she showed great composure and determination to even the game score at 5-5. Securing her next serve game quite comfortably, she earned a tricky 6-5 lead in the set. Smashing a wonderful serve ace, she set
up two match points for her and the first one to close out the match.
Sanchez, who has a special liking for the clay surface, showed just why she is so dangerous on her favourite surface. Ranked 54th in the world, the 28-year-old will also pick 250 valuable Sony Ericsson ranking points
with her triumph.
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