Marina Erakovic defeats Shuko Aoyama in the second qualifying round – Bank of the West Classic 2011
Sunday July 24, 2011 was the start of the second qualifying round of the Bank of the West Classic. The two players meeting for the first time were Marina Erakovic and Shuko Aoyama at the Taube Family Tennis Center Stanford University, California. It was a close match between both the players however; the Kiwi (Marina Erakovic) won the match 7-6(3), 6-4 against her Japanese opponent (Shuko).
Marina won the toss and with excitement opened the set by smashing four aces; she had an average serve and a return game, however, her accuracy faltered three times hitting the net. Whilst her opponent also hit an ace and struck three double faults. Even though Shuko had won seventy one percent of the first serve percentage of the set she lost a number of points due to her poor return serve. It was a close match between both the players and they were neck on neck into each other. They rallied each other until the game score was 6-6, Marina won the tie breaker and hence won the set. Both the players had almost the same total set points but Marina with only two more points 7-6(3).
The second set saw a change of events and although both the players had performed relatively better Marina was the better player amongst them. Shuko serving first did not hit an ace instead she struck only one double fault and although she had achieved an average fifty eight percent of the first serve opening the set she performed below the par on her return serve. Whist Marina was able to hit three aces, and her precession faltered striking four double faults that hit the net. Although, Marina had an average serve and return serve she was able to save four out of five of her break points and managed to convert five percent more break point opportunities than her opponents. Although this match was also a close competition between both the players, Marina won from seven more points in her total set score than that of her opponents.
Summing it up; the 23-year-old Marina hung in the match and did not let tiredness weary her out. Due to a consistent performance in her sets and playing relatively better than her opponent she was able to win a straight set victory with a 2-0 lead.
Born on the 6th of Mar 1988, Marina Erakovic has won thirty six matches this season and lost only ten out of the forty six she played in total. The highest career high rankings in WTA doubles that she has achieved was World No. 43, on 27 October 2008.
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