Mona Barthel beats Gail Brodsky; moves into final qualifier round – Collector Swedish Open 2011
Mona Barthel of Germany shook off dogged resistance from Gail Brodsky of America to stay on course and reaching the final qualifying round at the Swedish Open 2011, ousting the American in a three-set thriller on Sunday.
Although she maintained the nicest and most patient demeanor in her first meeting with the American, the world No 114 was made to fight all the way by the American before sealing a 4-6, 7-6(10), 6-1 victory in two hours and twenty
minutes.
The American bullied the 20-year-old Barthel’s serve with a fierce display of clean hitting from the baseline just like the German, but she was unable to compete in the tie-break against an opponent who is now the overwhelming
favourite for the title following the top seeded Arantxa Rus’s exit due to an ongoing participation in Cuneo.
But Brodsky, who was bidding to reach the first round at Swedish Open, managed to take a set from her adversary, making a lightning start, winning thirty six of the seventy one points in total to go 1-0 in the set score.
The bold American continued to go toe to toe with her dazzling opponent in a punishing second set, which saw no break points until Barthel serve-volleyed her way out of trouble in the fifth game. It proved the only break chance
and Barthel made Brodsky pay for not taking it by stepping up the pace of her game.
But to her credit, Brodsky immediately fought back and managed to cause a huge turnaround in her game, winning as many points as she could do to overwhelm her higher-ranked opponent. But typical chasing down from Barthel helped
her break back in the crucial game and, although Brodsky continued to trouble her with her aggressive play, a tie-break followed which the German No.6th completely dominated.
The second seed had ten break point opportunities to convert in the opening game of the decider but Brodsky refused to surrender. Once again, neither player looked like dropping their serve until the latter made a succession of
mistakes in sixth game and was broken. Brodsky could only win a single game with a brilliant forehand winner but Barthel was not to be denied, setting up a final qualifying round clash against compatriot Scarlett Werner.
Barthel and Werner will do the battle for first time in their career, attempting to reach the first round of Swedish Open 2011.
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