Sara Errani defeats Johanna Larsson to move into second round of Monterrey Open 2011
Italian Sara Errani defeated Johanna Larsson of Sweden to book her place in the second round of the 2011 Whirlpool Abierto Monterrey Open in Monterrey on Tuesday.
In her first appearance at the outdoor hard court tournament, sixth seed Errani made the important first serve break to gain an early advantage. The first set proved to be a formality for the world number 41 as she faced negligible resistance from her opponent
and won it 6-2.
However, the second set was played on a more competitive note. Although Larsson improved her game, Errani managed to break her serve to end the match in two sets registering a 6-2, 6-4 win. The Italian had a rock solid defence and played aggressively whenever
it was required.
Errani dominated her opponent in every department of the game. Her first serve ratio was as high as 85 per cent whereas Larsson could only manage a mere 58 per cent. The Italian also converted 75 per cent of her second serve points as compared to only Larsson’s
36 per cent.
Errani, who has won two Women Tennis Association titles in her career, could be the real contender for the tournament. She was the runner-up at Pattaya in 2011 and has given impressive performances in the season. The 23-year-old needs another confidence
boosting win to go on and clinch her third career title.
Meanwhile, Melanie Oudin crushed Vania King in an all-American clash. Both players gave their best in the first set as the outcome was decided in the 11th game. Oudin made her opponent work hard for every point and deservingly won the first set
6-4.
In the second set, the world number 82 lost only one game to wrap up the match 6-4, 6-1.
Oudin’s first serve ratio was 76 per cent and she converted 62 per cent of her first serve points. On the other hand, Vania assisted her opponent in winning the match comfortably. She produced thirteen double faults which proved to be the main difference
between the two players in the end.
The 19-year-old Oudin, who was once ranked as high as world number 31, has slipped down the rankings following her poor showing in 2010. And even in 2011, it is pretty much the same story as the American teenager has already lost 5 out of the 7 matches played.
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