Monica Niculescu, Sara Errani win opening matches at 2011 BNP Paribas Open
Romanian Monica Niculescu defeated Anastasia Rodionova of Australia in straight sets in her opening match at the 2011 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells Tennis Gardens.
Niculescu established firm control over the match right from the onset. She used her attacking ability very effectively and made sure her defence was not vulnerable either. The first set was opened with highly competitive tennis
as both players exchanged breaks and tried to gain the psychological advantage early on however the Romanian held her nerve and scored the crucial second serve break to take the set 6-3.
In the second set Niculescu completely dominated her opponent. The Romanian managed four serve breaks in the set to seal the match 6-3, 6-1 in only 1 hour and 9 minutes.
Ranked 65th in the world, Niculescu gave excellent performances in the qualifying round and continued with the same momentum in her opening match at the main draw. The Romanian played aggressive tennis and left her opponent
in tatters. She went close to the net regularly to put pressure on the challenger and then placed her slice shorts to perfection. The 23 year old served with great control and precision as she played near to perfect tennis. The Romanian also fired 3 breath
taking aces during the contest. She will now face 15th seed Marion Bartoli of France in her second match.
Although Rodionova broke back in the second set she was completely outclassed by her superior opponent at the end. Her serve was weak as she converted only a mere 41 percent of her first serve points as compared to almost 70 percent
achieved by Niculescu. Rodionova created only 2 break point chances for herself in contrast to the 9 she gifted to her opponent. The 28 year old has struggled at the tour since the start of year 2011. She fell in the first rounds of Brisbane and Sydney. Then
at the Australian open she lost to 22nd seed Pennetta in the first round and just a week ago she well in Doha qualifying. She would be hoping to restore her lost pride when she next returns to the tour.
Meanwhile, Italian Sara Errani was awarded a 6- 6 (ret) win in her opening match after her opponent Greta Arn of Germany had to retire.
Arn took several timeouts during the first set and then after playing in pain for more than 1 hour and 15 minutes she decided not to continue. She looked in commanding form but unfortunately for her the injury turned out to be
serious one. The 31 year old veteran would be highly disappointed for not completing the match. She was having her dream run at the tour recently winning her first WTA title in Auckland earlier this year.
World number 40 Errani will take Jarmila Groth of Australia in her next match here.
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