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Showing posts with label Anabel Medina Garrigues. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Anabel Medina Garrigues. Show all posts

Friday, July 3, 2009

Aussie pair in ladies' doubles final

Photo Titled Stosur and Stubbs talk tactics
Samantha Stosur and Rennae Stubbs plan their next move against Anabel Medina Garrigues and Virginia Ruano Pascual.
Sam Stosur and Rennae Stubbs will line up against the three-time champions Venus and Serena Williams in the ladies’ doubles final after defeating second seeds Anabel Medina Garrigues and Virginia Ruano Pascal in three entertaining sets.

The fired-up Australian partnership came from a set down to defeat the Spanish pairing - the double French Open winners - 6-7 (3-7), 6-4, 6-2 in two hours and seven minutes.

It was the Spanish pairing who got off to the better start, beautifully lobbing their opponents at will and firing frequent return winners. Medina Garrigues and Ruano Pascal took a deserved lead when they gained a break of the Stosur serve in the fifth game after Stubbs netted a great passing shot.

However going behind did little to dampen the enthusiasm of the Australian partnership. The crowd seemed to be enjoying Stubbs' gung-ho attitude as she either berated herself after an error or pumped her fists following a winner. She and Stosur hit back to even up proceedings in the eighth game when a spectacular smash by Stubbs down the centre of the court broke the Ruano Pascal serve. The third seeds then had three opportunities to take the set on the Ruano Pascal serve but she held on after great net play by Medina Garrigues to level at 6-6 and force a tiebreak.

Supported at courtside by former Wimbledon ladies’ singles champion Conchita Martinez, the Spaniards then turned the match in their favour. A solid tiebreak, coupled with two double-faults by Stosur, helped them seal the first set in 51 minutes.

Moving into the second set, the Australians reversed tactics successfully, flooding the net after almost every point. Whereas before they had simply sent points back into play, the third seeds now showed their power and started to put away winner after winner at the net. They quickly raced to a 4-1 lead after two successive breaks of the Spaniards' serves. The two-time French Open winners gained one break back, but it wasn't enough as Stubbs solidly served out the set 6-4.

Moving into the third, Stubbs and Stosur were a joy to watch, showcasing a great display of serve and volley doubles. They looked formidable as they gained breaks in the third and fifth games to seal a comeback victory and set up that clash with the all-conquering sisters.


Court 3 - Ladies' Doubles - Semifinals
Samantha Stosur AUS (3)/
Rennae Stubbs AUS (3)
Winner6366
Anabel Medina Garrigues ESP (2)/
Virginia Ruano Pascual ESP (2)
7742

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Wozniacki whizzes into week two

Photo Titled Caroline Wozniacki
Caroline Wozniacki

Caroline Wozniacki’s wonderful spell on grass continued as she swept aside Anabel Medina Garrigues in scorching conditions to ensure she will be part of the second-week shake-up in the ladies' singles.

The Danish 9th seed, who came into the tournament fresh from winning the pre-Wimbledon tournament at Eastbourne, produced a sizzling display to claim a 6-2, 6-2 victory and earn a fourth round Wimbledon spot for the first time in her career.

At the start of the match she gave herself and the camp a scare by looking decidedly rusty and lost her opening service game. However, it turned out to be a minor hiccup as she found her feet to break straight back.

Much is said of the 18-year-old’s forehand – which is similar to Steffi Graf’s when she strikes the ball - but it was her backhand that did the talking, with Wozniacki whipping up winners all over the court.

The Spaniard, who sported neon pink knee tape on both knees, darted about the turf to little avail. Soon the set belonged to the teenager who broke into the top 10 on May 18, becoming the first Danish woman to reach those heights.

As the temperature began to soar, Medina Garrigues appared to melt and in the blink of an eye Wozniacki was in possession of a 3-0 lead. Out came the umbrellas and ice packs at the change of ends, in a bid to keep the players cool, but it did little to help the world number 20.

The 2006 Wimbledon junior champion was on fire. Her powerful baseline strokes proved to be the undoing of Medina Garrigues, who managed to defend two match points on serve, but was not so fortunate on the third, netting a volley to hand Wozniacki the match.


Court 4 - Ladies' Singles - 3rd Round
Caroline Wozniacki DEN (9)Winner66
Anabel Medina Garrigues ESP (20)22