Shuai Peng torpedoed
Anastasia Rodionova in the 2nd round – Mercury Open 2011
Wednesday the 3rd of August-2011 saw Shuai Peng, the Chinese torpedo the Australian Anastasia Rodionova in an enthralling, spellbinding match that lasted for 1 hour, 7 minutes and 50 seconds at the La Costa Resort and
Spa, Carlsbad, California.
Since the two had contested 3 times prior to this event they were familiar with each other’s style and technique. Their initial meeting was in 2004 at the US Open during the qualifying first round, Rodionova had won the match.
The Higher Power granted Peng a chance to take her revenge and she did at their second meeting in 2008 at the French Open. Both had equalized the set score when their paths crossed again earlier this year at the Qatar Ladies Open in Doha, Peng won the match
and was leading in their head to head 2-1.
The High Power had made fate cross their paths again, giving Rodionova a chance to restore her dignity but alas! Shuai Peng won 6-1, 6-3 for the third time at the Mercury Open 2011 putting Rodionova to shame.
The first set of the match saw neither of the player’s falter at their accuracy; however Peng smashed an ace and had hit 65% of her first serve on targets. With an exceptional first serve and an average second serve, Peng was able
to bag 80% of her total service points. With a backswing she was able to return hard which enabled her to clench a commendable 61% in her total return points.
While, Rodionova lost most of her points because of a poor second serve, she was able to attain a disappointing 39% of her total service points, along with, a deplorable 20% in her total return points.
Additionally, Peng had a stronger defence and did not allow her opponent a single break point instead was able to break her opponent twice, where as Rodionova was not able to save nor win any break points. Hence, Peng won the set
with 16 points more than her opponent’s.
During the second set neither of the players aced, struck double faults, and saved their break points instead both bagged a 100% of their break points but Peng clenched an extra break point from her opponent which gave her an upper
hand.
Following the precedent, the 29-year-old (Rodionova) had not improved her style of play and diminished her chances of winning the set. Serving first with nervousness was the Aussie and even though her scores were better from the
first set, they still fell short. Her total service points were 20% less than her opponent’s along with an unsatisfactory return serve that won her only 35% of her total return points, she lost the set.
However, Peng gained the competitive edge as her performance in her serve and return serve was consistent. Across the board; she was able to win 65% of her total service points along with an average 55% in her total return which
enabled her to win the set with 9 points more than her rival’s.
Overall, the two sets were largely dominated by Peng’s presence on the court and the 25-year-old won the match with 25 points more than her old-fangled rival.
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