Monday, April 09, 2007

Family Circle Cup play begins

Marion Bartoli of France won her first round against American Shenay Perry


We started the day by attending the Shenay Perry-Marion Bartoli match in the main stadium. Perry served out of her mind and hit ten aces; she also took the first set, 7-5. Bartoli took the second set, 6-4, and Perry's mental fragility--already on display earlier in the match--took control of her. She had a total meltdown, and all Bartoli had to do was keep the ball in the court and wait for the error. She won the third set handily, 6-1.

Next we watched Vera Zvonareva play Nathalie Dechy. Zvonareva had a tough time at the beginning; Dechy was changing the pace and throwing soft body serves at her. Neither player played her best, and the difference was that Dechy made too many unforced errors. Zvonareva prevailed, 6-4, 6-4.

We got to see the very end of the Zheng-Fedak match. We were cheering for Fedak, but she was outplayed by Zheng, who won in straight sets. Then we moved to the Althea Gibson Club Court, where we saw Ashley Harkleroad wind up her win against Laura Granville. Following them were Alina Jidkova and wild card Michaella Krajicek. Jidkova played well, but once Krajicek felt comfortable on the court, it was no contest--she won in straight sets.

In the main stadium, we saw Mara Santangelo and Alicia Molik upset Chan Jung-Jan and Chuang Chia-Jung in three sets. It was as good a doubles match as you could ever want to see, with plenty of service breaks and some expert volleying.

I wandered around a bit, too, and saw Patty Schnyder practicing (she is practicing a lot). I also saw Jelena Jankovic practicing again, and I met wild card Julia Vakulenko's very cute little sister. I had photos signed by Vivi Ruano-Pascual and Lisa Raymond, and I saw a bit of the doubles match between Eleni Daniilidou/Jasmin Woehr and Laura Granville/Jelena Kostanic Tosic, which Granville/Kostanic Tosic won in straight sets.

Peer was injured during practice yesterday, but as far as I know, she has not withdrawn. Her name still appears in the draw.

Tennis outfit of the day: Once again, Yuliana Fedak gets the nod. She looked very smart in a white, 3/4-sleeve fitted top with a large round embossed white-on-white pattern on the back, and an off-white (perhaps it was very pale green) skirt. The skirt had a flat front and a double tier of pleats in the back, plus a small tab loop.

0 Comments:

Post a Comment

<< Home