Polona Hercog undoes Vesna Dolonts in the quarterfinal – Collector Swedish Open 2011
Vesna Dolonts may had been the conqueror of third-seeded Lucie Safarova in the first round , but it was Slovenian Polona Hercog who made the biggest impression in yesterday’s quarterfinal match between Dolonts and Hercog. In a
fight that lasted for about one hour and twenty minutes, Hercog was able to push the Russian to limits. Her eighty minutes on the court were most productive against Dolonts, making the world number 103, look like an ill-equipped newbie.
Hercog upset Dolonts in straight sets 6-2, 6-4 to advance into the semi-finals of the 2011 Collector Swedish Open for the first time in her career. It was their first encounter with Hercog now having a lead in the head-to-head
record against Dolonts by 1-0.
The 2008 Nantes Champion, Dolonts looked a bit shaky against the Slovenian Pro and could not show the form she had displayed in her first two rounds of the tournament. Much of that can be attributed to Hercog’s consistency and
hard work, but that was not something Dolonts and her fans used to. The Russian never desired to surrender but she met a huge obstacle in Hercog and had to gift away the match in straight sets.
Despite picking up some winners in the first set, Dolonts could not hold the ground and lost the set with a 6-2 score line. She hit 64 percent of the first serves, winning 57 percent of points on her first serve and 38 percent
on her second serve. Hercog, on the other hand, had big serve and penetrating shots that Dolonts found a lot difficult to cope with. She scored 59 percent of points on his first serve and a whopping 88 percent on her second serve and did not allow Dolonts
to break back, converting all of her break points en route to the second.
In the second set, Dolonts steadied and extended the rallies more, pushing the Slovenian through her paces to go 4-0. But the Slovenian immediately came up with some good shots and dying lengths to lead the score 5-4. Hercog stayed
focused and displayed really good touch at the front to clinch some cruel rallies. In the end it was 6-4 to the Slovenian.
Hercog had the power and technique to keep Dolonts moving and she looked very sharp against her. Dolonts on the other hand looked as if she was lacking the match practice and confidence after her break found it hard to cope with
Hercog’s power and angles.
Hercog will next face seventh-seeded Barbora Zahlavova Strycova of Czech Republic in the semi-final of the tournament. The Slovenian has a golden opportunity to reach the final spot, provided that she remains focused and determined.
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