Vera Zvonareva thrashes Jill Craybas in the 2nd round – Mercury Open 2011
Tuesday, August 2nd, 2011 saw the start of the second round of the Mercury Open 2011. Meeting for the sixth time Vera Zvonareva and Jill Craybas duelled on the hard courts of the La Costa Resort and
Spa, Carlsbad, California. Zvonareva won the match 6-4, 7-5, in 1 hour, 47 minutes and 49 seconds.
The last time both the players had drawn swords at each other was at Forest Hills Women Tennis Classic, Los Angeles in 2008. Where Zvonareva won the match 6-4, 7-6(2) and had lead their head to head 4-1. It was time for Craybas
to restore her dignity but alas! Craybas lost the match at the La Costa Resort and Spa, and hence, out of the 6 times the old-fangled players have met Vera Zvonareva has won five times on the hard courts.
The first set was a comprehensive victory for Zvonareva over her opponent. Both the players had a relatively similar serve but Zvonareva won 3% points more than Craybas in the total service points. It was Craybas who was serving
nervously as she had lost many matches against her opponent and stuck two double faults. Although, Craybas did smash an ace she was able to win 77% of her first serves opening the set.
While, Zvonareva’s accuracy failed her four times striking four double faults, two of which hit the net while the other two were line faults. Both the players had an excellent serve but Zvonareva had a better return serve and attained
a total of 33% of her total return points in the set. The Russian (Zvonareva) had managed to save both her break points along with, winning a 100% of her break points.
Whereas, Craybas was neither able to save nor win any break points and lost the set with 4 fewer points than her opponent’s. Zvonareva not won the set and limited her opponent to only four game points.
The second set was the most exciting part of the match as both the players had tried their best and their points were almost alike except Zvonareva won the set with 7 more points than her opponents.
Zvonareva was serving first with a lot of confidence as she had just won the set and it had boosted her performance. The Russian had struck no aces and no double faults; instead, she focused her concentration on her serve and return
technique. The 26-year-old had a sturdy defence and was able save a 100% of her break points along with winning only one.
On the contrary, Craybas had smashed 2 aces and her accuracy faltered allowing her to strike one line fault. Even though, Craybas was able to save the 6 of 7 break points she was unable to bag any which gave her opponent an upper
hand.
The match was a close tie and Zvonareva won the match with a total of 54%, she hung in the match and with perseverance and consistency battled it out until she won the set 7-5.
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