Michaella Krajicek outlasts Mandy Minella in the qualifiers – BNP Paribas Open 2012
Qualifier’s third seed, Michaella Krajicek went the distance to oust the Luxembourgian starlet, Mandy Minella, in three sets at the BNP Paribas Open 2012, a hard court tournament taking place in Indian Wells in California, United States. She registered a
6-4, 5-7, 6-3 score line against the world number 93 to enter the main draw on Tuesday.
Krajicek stayed on track to bid for her fourth career title after rallying past the 14th seed in their second meeting. It took the Dutch two and half hours to not only maintain her winning record against Minella but also advanced into the first
round at this WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) Premier Mandatory event.
The 23-year-old quickly made on the right path and pulled out the opener with a 6-4 win. She lost her serve twice, committed more double faults and produced a lower first serve share. However, Krajicek capitalised on three out of four break opportunities
and clinched the set.
The Dutch continued displaying drastic performance in the follow-up set and manipulated a poor first serve share of 46 percent as compared to Minella’s 69 percent.
Minella on the other end took full advantage of this and despite losing her serve twice, she cashed in half of the six break opportunities to equalise the set scores.
Ranked 80th in the WTA Premier Rankings, Krajicek failed to fend off the only breakpoint she faced in the final set. However, the Dutch cashed in both break chances to pocket the decider with a 6-3 win.
Krajicek laboured past Austria’s Yvonne Meusburger in the first round of the qualifying competition to occupy into this spot.
She will face the Polish rising star, Urszula Radwanska, in the opening round. The Dutch is looking forward to improve her game and spill fewer errors in order to overpower the Pole.
The 24th seed, Kristina Barrois, also advanced into the main draw. She stunned the 11th seeded Virginie Razzano in straight sets in an hour and 35-minute duel. The German upset Razzano for the first time in their third meeting and secured
a place in round one. She will square off against the Indian tennis star, Sania Mirza.
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