Rika Fujiwara outflanks Jessica Pegula in the qualifying 2nd round – Mercury Open 2011
Sunday July 31st, 2011 saw the start of the second qualifying round of the Mercury Open 2011, Carlsbad, California. The match was set and the two players were not meeting for the first time at the La Costa Resort and
Spa. It was an easy victory for the Japanese Rika Fujiwara against her American opponent Jessica Pegula. Finishing the match in just 64 minutes and 7 seconds, Fujiwara won 6-2, 6-4.
The two had taken to the courts this year at the Bank of the West Classic at the Taube Family Tennis Center, Stanford University, California. Fujiwara had won the match 3-6, 6-2, 7-5 and lead the head to head score 1-0. The Higher
Power had granted Pegula a chance to even out their head to head but alas, the opportunity went in vain.
The first set saw neither of the players strike a double fault, while the Japanese won the pitch and hit 71% of her first serve on target but in her second serve she only managed to win 50% of her second serve points, hence, winning
an average 52% in her total serve points.
One would’ve expected the 29-year-old (Fujiwara) to lose against her 17-year old opponent (Pegula) but her practice and experience on the court helped her track down Pegula’s shots enabling her to win a total of 63% of her total
return points. Even though she was unable to save her break points she broke her opponent four times.
Pegula had a pathetic serve but her defence was mediocre which helped her achieve 48% of her total return points. Even though, she was not able to save 4 of the 6 break points, she was capable to break her opponent only twice.
Fujiwara had a great style and technique and won the set because of a consistent attack and defence. Luck was not on Pegula’s side and she knew she had to push a little harder in order to get this set but nothing turned out as
the way she had planned and instead lost the set 6-2 winning only two game points.
After pummeling in the first set, Pegula should’ve jumped back into the second set to avenge her loss; however, that was just a dream. Pegula served with a lot of nervousness; she managed to hit an ace and due to a poor precision
she struck two line faults and after awhile hit another two on the net.
Fujiwara had an immaculate precession and struck zero double faults along with winning a commendable 62% of her total serve points. Although, she had attained only forty three percent of her total return points, she had a better
return serve than Pegula’s. Her defence was like a an ox that didn’t budge and she managed to save 50% of her break points along with winning a 100% of her break points. Although, Pegula had performed better than the first set she was still unable to beat
her opponent and lost with 5 points in her total set points.
In spite of Fujiwara’s age the match was a near flawless victory for the Japanese.
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