Reka-Luca Jani, Lenka Jurikova, Estrella Candela qualify for main draw – Budapest Grand Prix 2011
Number six seed Reka-Luca Jani earned a hard fought 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 victory over Irina Buryachok on Monday to book her place in the main draw of 2011 Budapest Grand Prix in Hungary.
Jani, who has been in great form since the start of the tournament, had to dig in deep to overcome her rival from Ukraine. The Hungarian tennis-pro made a confident start to the match. Breaking the serve early, she dented her opponent’s
confidence levels and then continued to play her natural game freely.
Buryachok was also up for the challenge as she broke straight back to stay in the set. Jani had another chance of serve break in eight game of the set, which she converted with a wonderful backhand winner to take a crucial 5-3
lead. Holding on to her next service game with ease, she pocketed the opening set to put herself in the driving position.
Looking to find an entry back into the match, Buryachok turned things around brilliantly in the second set. She served brilliantly and managed to hold on to her serve games. Converting the only break chance of the set, she evened
the set score 1-1.
However, it was Jani who took control of things in the final set. She served with control and accuracy and pressurised her opponent with every available opportunity. Breaking her rival twice in the set, she sealed an emphatic victory
in a match that lasted for more than 2 hours and 13 minutes.
In another match at the WTA tournament number three seed Lenka Jurikova of Slovakia crushed Ukrainian Lyudmyla Kichenok 6-4, 6-3 in a one-sided contest.
The Slovakian looked to attack right from the start of the match. Approaching the net every now and then, she put her opponent under extreme pressure. Breaking the serve regularly, the 20-year-old established complete control over
the situation. Kichenok lacked firepower in several areas of the game as she struggled to create chances for herself. Jurikova hit 76 per cent first serve and also claimed nearly 50 per cent of the points on the receiving end.
Ranked 253rd in the Women’s Tennis Association, Jurikova will be hoping to continue her good form in her upcoming matches at the tournament to improve her ranking significantly.
Spaniard Estrella Cabeza Candela also secured a thumping 6-4, 6-3 victory over Anna Remondina in the final round of qualification tournament.
An excellent 73 per cent first serve combined with her magical defence allowed Candela to dictate terms throughout the match. Remondina struggled to handle the pressure as she did not get any timing on her shots.
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