Serena Williams plonks Petrova to reach pre-quarters of Internazionali BNL D’Italia: Tennis Special
Ninth seed, Serena Williams, rallied past the Russian star, Nadia Petrova, in a three-set thriller at the Internazionali BNL D’Italia 2012 on Wednesday. She hit back to record a 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 victory against the world number 30 to charge into the third round at this WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) Premier Five event taking place in Rome, Italy.
The former world number one rekindled her spark after the opening set and subsequently carved out the victory in two hours and nine minutes. Battling each other for the 10th time, Williams not only avenged her loss at the Madrid Premier Mandatory event two years ago but also extended her lead in the head-to-head series by 7-3 against the 29-year-old.
"When I lost the first set, I just thought, 'Stay in there and just don't give up, you'll have a chance,'" Williams commented in a post-match interview. "I just didn't want to give up. I never do want to give up, nor have I ever wanted to give up. I wanted it today."
The Moscow native made quick in-roads after smoothly swiping in her entire serves without facing any breakpoint. She got the breakthrough in the third game and clicked the opener by winning six games to four.
Currently ranked sixth in the WTA Premier Rankings, Williams re-focused in the follow-up set. After breaking her rival’s serve twice, she leaped to a 5-1 lead. Despite squandering her chance of bagging a breadstick, the American capitalised on another break chance in the last game and plucked the equaliser with a 6-2 success.
Williams carried her momentum into the final set when the match was poised on a knife edge. She quickly slid her entire serves without facing any real challenge and cashed in one out of four break opportunities in the eighth game to clinch the decider with a 6-3 score line.
All in all, the American clobbered a slightly higher first serve share of 62 per cent in contrast with her rival’s 60 per cent and brilliantly marked 36 out of 52 points on it.
The American number one is currently on a 15 match winning streak on clay this season.
"I love Europe and to be able to play the whole swing here is really cool," Williams reflected. "I've definitely developed a lot of confidence on clay. It's just that I haven't won a lot of tournaments on it, but now I'm getting more wins and hope to change that going forward."
Her impressive run of form saw her lifting titles at the Family Circle Cup and Mutua Madrid Open. She also led her nation to earn the glory after winning her both matches at the Fed Cup.
Next in line for the 13-time Grand Slam champion is the Spanish veteran, Anabel Medina Garrigues who is meeting her for the first time. With her current rhythm, Williams will crush anyone who stands in her way to reclaim her top spot.
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