ROBSON 2-6, 5-1 KVITOVA*
This is like The Godfather: Robson is so much better in the second.
She starts Kvitova’s service game with a sizzling winner. And she keeps her
nose in it at deuce too – Robson keeping it tight and deep to Kvitova.
Suddenly Robbo has a point for a double break with an inside out forehand to
the crowd’s delight. And there it is, the double break which looked like a
Kyber Pass away 45 minutes ago! Great resolve from the Brit. ROBSON BREAKS
ROBSON* 2-6, 4-1 KVITOVA
But with a first serve percentage at 48, the signs don’t look promising for a
hold. An ace helps the cause as ekes out a 40-30 lead. At deuce, perhaps the
longest rally of the match. A crunching rally from both, before a Robson
forehand finds the top of the net which a scampering Kvitova can’t return.
Robson holds for a her third game in a row.
ROBSON 2-6, 3-1 KVITOVA*
Robson rallies once more. Kvitova is not exactly on her game tonight and the
Briton ekes out a 0-30 lead. A chance is wasted on Kvitova’s second serve as
Robson goes wide, attempting a winner down the line. Suits Kvitova. But
Robbo finds her obligatory break point. Can she convert at the 10th time of
asking? No. Kvitova sends down an ace. So begins another dose of break point
drama: Robson clean winner and then…. a powerful return down the middle
forces the error and we have a match. ROBSON BREAKS.
ROBSON* 2-6, 2-1 KVITOVA
Robson rallies. Two quick points and then a Kvitova unforced error yield a
rare 40-0 lead. Then, the jitters. Two consecutive errors into the net. And
these aren’t exactly close to the tape either. A third error goes beyond the
tramlines and the lead is wiped out. Robson looks up to the sultry skies.
More scratchy tennis ensues: a Robson double, a Kvitova error out wide. But
slap another one on the bbq why don’t you – Robson finally holds out.
ROBSON 2-6, 1-1 KVITOVA*
A winner here, an error there as Robson forces the Czech into a backhand into
the net. 15-15 turns into 15-30 with an eighth double fault for the Czech.
Two errors on Robson’s usually in sync forehand leave Kvitova with a game
point. So we can safely assume that there will be another double fault
somewhere down the line. And she obliges. Robson has another break point
now, but Kvitova sends Robson out wide and finds a winner into an empty
court. We’ve been here before though. The Briton finds an imperious forehand
winner down the lines for a second break point. Again, she can’t convert and
Robson’s head goes down with a netted backhand.
ROBSON* 2-6, 1-0 KVITOVA
Robson’s had eight game points in the last two games, so if she’d won them
all this second round clash would be tied at 4-4. As it is, Kvitova has the
set in the bank. And the quick rallies are clearly favouring the former
Wimbledon champ too – 29 unforced errors between them so far. Robson’s
relying on her second serve as well. But she’s just edging ahead in this
game and she duly holds out. More of this, please.
ROBSON 2-6 KVITOVA*
Robson’s now finding herself deep behind the baseline as she sends another
forehand long. Then, a forehand wide, almost throwing her racket late on it
with wild abandon. Two set points for Kvitova. She wastes one of them with a
double fault – all the rage in this clash so far – and then the other with
the same result. Back to deuce. Robson senses something and she brings out
her big weapon – a telling forehand down the line for a welcome break point.
Robson has SIX chances for the break in all as the game edges towards
10 minutes. But she can’t convert and Kvitova holds out with an ace on her
third set point. Talk about a weak opening set.
ROBSON* 2-5 KVITOVA
Robson’s expression is one of anxiety and frustration. She can’t find the
rhythm, even at 30-15 up. But how about a crunching forehand down the line
to ease the tension? Back comes Kvitova with two forceful forehands to keep
the game alive at deuce. Relentless again from Kvitova, using width to
telling effect, as Robson sends a backhand wide on the stretch. Break point
to the Czech and after being 40-15 down, she is now serving for the set. KVITOVA
BREAKS .
ROBSON 2-4 KVITOVA*
Hard to pin this match down after six games. Kvitova double faults, then
aces. Rallies scratchy, too many unforced errors. The crowd barely up for
this one. What we do garner is that Kvitova holds serve and the break as
Robson sends a backhand long.
ROBSON* 2-3 KVITOVA
Robson looks unfazed out there. She duffs her first serve of this fifth game,
but follows it up with a clean winner at the net. She sends a mishit
forehand long on the next point before Kvitova somehow scoops up a low,
spinning forehand from Robson. Her return is equally low and Robson can’t
find the direction to put the Czech under pressure. Easy put away. It’s all
too edgy out there from both players. KVITOVA BREAKS .
ROBSON 2-2 KVITOVA*
Back comes the Czech, using the full width of the court to open up a speedy
40-0 lead. She impresses with one double-hander back-handed winner. Short
rallies clearly the order her. Back on serve.
ROBSON* 2-1 KVITOVA
Ah, finally! Robson holds serve and she is finding her range for good
measure, finishing with an ace
ROBSON 1-1 KVITOVA*
These two seem to have left their service games on the outside courts.
Kvitova’s double means three in six points. Robson then finds a clean winner
to eke an early advantage at 15-30. A scratchy couple of points ensue:
Robson goes long, Kvitova with a double and the Briton has a break point.
She looks to have gone long, but the ball lands on the line. Still advantage
then and Robson pressures the Czech with two deep forehands. ROBSON
BREAKS
ROBSON* 0-1 KVITOVA
A far from ideal start from the Briton. Two untimely double faults from the
off, before Robson goes long on a return and in a flash Kvitova as three
breaks. She looks to have the measure at the net, forcing the Cezch wide,
but then sends a volley deep into the net. Two doubles, two unforced errors. KVITOVA
BREAKS .
10.31 It’s 97F on Rod Laver. Not good for Kvitova’s asthma. Here we go
then, Robson to serve.
10.30 They say Kvitova is out of form. But she’s been an ever-present
in the majors in last 12 months. Semis here, quarters there. They also say
it will be a case of which Czech will turn up tonight, given the majority
will be on the Briton’s side. Let’s see.
10.25 Laura Robson enters Rod Laver Arena. A smile raised. She’s
getting used to all this.
10.20 So, can Robbo do it again at a slam? The Brit created waves at
the US Open last year with wins over Kim Clijsters – making it the final
match in the Belgian’s storied career – and Li Na. And after her opening
straight sets win against Melanie Oudin, who’s betting against a win over
the former Wimbledon champ?
10.15 The Fed, all lavender, pink and purple, is serving for the match
against Davydenko. And he duly holds serve to win 6-3, 6-4, 6-4, finishing
with a sizzling ace down the lines. Too, too easy. He will play local boy
Tomic next up. Now, for our British hope.
10.05 Robson is due on court after the Federer-Davydenko clash, the
Swiss inching towards a straight-game win over Davydenko.
10.00 From our man Simon Briggs in Melbourne: Kvitova can be a
lethal opponent when the force is with her. She hits a ripper of a
left-handed serve and likes to keep points short, often lining up winners on
the second or third shot of a rally. At the same time, though, she is a
naturally reticent character who has struggled with the pressures of life in
the top 10 since her Wimbledon victory.
09.50 The draw should favour the Briton, because she enjoys the
spotlight, and produced the best tennis of her life on New York’s cavernous
Arthur Ashe Stadium last year. She said last night:
nothing to lose. It is enjoyable. I just hope people will stick around and
not leave after Federer’s match is over.
09.45 Good morning and welcome to second round coverage from Melbourne.
This is becoming a familiar sight: a blog centred on British women’s tennis
fortunes. Today it’s the turn of Laura Robson against former Wimbledon champ
Kvitova. Let’s go Laura, let’s go, we all chant.
Source:
http://www.ezonearticle.com/2013/01/17/laura-robson-v-petra-kvitova-live/
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