Richel Hogenkamp overpowers Ines Ferrer Suarez in qualifiers – Nurnberger Gastein Ladies 2012
Seeded eighth in the qualifying event, Richel Hogenkamp, bounced back to upset the Spanish contender, Ines Ferrer Suarez, in a three set thriller at the qualifying competition of Nurnberger Gastein Ladies 2012 on Monday. She summed up a 6-7(6), 6-3, 7-6(5)
victory against the world number 205 to charge into the main draw at this red clay court tournament held in Bad Gastein, Austria.
Hogenkamp stayed calm throughout the match to carve out the victory in two hours and 38 minutes against the fifth seeded Spaniard. Encountering each other for the second time, the Dutch not only avenged her loss at the Rosario WTA (Women’s Tennis Association)
event last season but also secured a place in the main draw.
The 22-year-old Spaniard made a strong entry at this WTA International-level tournament. She failed to block the lone breakpoint she came across but capitalised on one out of three break chances to drag the set to the tie-breaker. Ferrer Suarez edged past
her rival in it and subsequently formulated a 7-6(6) success.
Hogenkamp rebounded in the following set and with a single break of serve in the fourth game, she sealed the equaliser by winning six games to three. The Dutchwomen swiped her entire serves after dusting away all five breakpoints she faced and got back in
the game.
Ranked 211th in the WTA Premier Rankings, Hogenkamp kept momentum floating into the final set and earned the coveted break in the opening game to take the initial lead. She lost her edge in the very next game but broke the Spaniard’s serve again
to jump to a 3-1 lead. Despite losing her following two serves and going 3-5 down, the Dutch stayed in contention and not only recovered in the ninth game but took the set to the tie-breaker. She prevailed in it and clicked the decider with a 7-6(5) score
line.
Tournament’s top seed, Julia Goerges awaits Hogenkamp in the opening round.
Dia Evtimova from Bulgaria will accompany the Dutch into the main draw. She hit back to outmuscle the Croatian contestant, Ani Mijacika, with a 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 score line in two hours and six minutes.
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