Playing her first match since her magical run to the US Open final, Vera Zvonareva was impressive in her opening match of the Toray Pan Pacific Open, dispatching Sara Errani in straight sets, 6-3 6-3.
Zvonareva was 0-2 at the Premier tournament, but as the No.2 seed this time there are more expectations and she shouldered them well on Tuesday, scoring her third win in as many career meetings with the feisty Italian.
In her two previous appearances at this event, Zvonareva lost opening matches in 2007(to Samantha Stosur) and 2009 (to Alisa Kleybanova).
Also scoring wins on Centre Court during the day were Victoria Azarenka and Elena Dementieva. Azarenka, the No.8 seed, improved to 5-0 in matches - and 10-0 in sets - against Lucie Safarova, 6-1 6-3, while Dementieva, seeded No.7, needed just 51 minutes to roll over Yaroslava Shvedova, 6-0 6-1.
"It was a nice and quick match," Dementieva said. "I played very aggressively and consistently the whole match. It's always good to get into a rhythm. There are a few big tournaments left so I want to play my best - no matter how well you do in the beginning of the year, it's always good to have a strong finish."
For the second straight day, rain forced the Centre Court roof to close and some matches to be sent indoors. "It has been tough not being able to practice because of the weather," Dementieva added. "All the girls were waiting hours for their matches, so I was lucky to play under the roof of Centre Court."
Kimiko Date Krumm continued her run while leading Daniela Hantuchova 2-6 6-0 4-0, when Daniela was forced to retire.
Samantha Stosur, Shahar Pe'er and Svetlana Kuznetsova were the only seeded players to fall.
Zvonareva was 0-2 at the Premier tournament, but as the No.2 seed this time there are more expectations and she shouldered them well on Tuesday, scoring her third win in as many career meetings with the feisty Italian.
In her two previous appearances at this event, Zvonareva lost opening matches in 2007(to Samantha Stosur) and 2009 (to Alisa Kleybanova).
Also scoring wins on Centre Court during the day were Victoria Azarenka and Elena Dementieva. Azarenka, the No.8 seed, improved to 5-0 in matches - and 10-0 in sets - against Lucie Safarova, 6-1 6-3, while Dementieva, seeded No.7, needed just 51 minutes to roll over Yaroslava Shvedova, 6-0 6-1.
"It was a nice and quick match," Dementieva said. "I played very aggressively and consistently the whole match. It's always good to get into a rhythm. There are a few big tournaments left so I want to play my best - no matter how well you do in the beginning of the year, it's always good to have a strong finish."
For the second straight day, rain forced the Centre Court roof to close and some matches to be sent indoors. "It has been tough not being able to practice because of the weather," Dementieva added. "All the girls were waiting hours for their matches, so I was lucky to play under the roof of Centre Court."
Kimiko Date Krumm continued her run while leading Daniela Hantuchova 2-6 6-0 4-0, when Daniela was forced to retire.
Samantha Stosur, Shahar Pe'er and Svetlana Kuznetsova were the only seeded players to fall.
5 comments:
I want to see more seeds fall! I know, I'm getting greedy. :P
Kimiko runs continues. :) I hope she defeats that annoying Italian thing.
Dani H. I can describe her career in one word: Choker.
"The Big Bunny" also won in straight sets.
How about this "Captain" your fav. "Sponge Bart Square Pants" defeated "The Fist Pumping Imbecile" easily in straight sets. Too bad your other fav. "The Princess" lost in three sets to Pennetta.
American Coco Vandeweghe upset Rezai. Nice little run by Coco, I like her name BTW no need for a nickname. :P
Well I hope the one that falls today is "The Bunny" losing to Pavlychenkova.
Kimiko has a great chance against the Italian, she has beaten her before and is at her home ground.
"Sponge Bart" will lose to vika how ever. And not suprised about "The Princess"
I know, love the name! Coco could setablish something here.
Sorry I got that wrong Schciavone leads Kimiko 1-0 in head to head.
"The Big Bunny" won easily "Captain", and "Sponge Bart" lost via retiring (viral illness). Have you noticed during the past two weeks a lot of players are retiring due to viral illnesses.
That annoying Italian thing ended Kimiko's run, hell of a run from this giant killer.
Jankovic upset, Dementieva quietly moving on.
Coco won, couple of years ago there was a little hype surrounding her. It hasn't translated as of yet, then again any American player coming up they surround them with hype. Right now, once again she is going to get hype because she is getting good results. I said this before, just because a player makes a good run in a tournament or wins a tournament doesn't make them good; consistent, good results does.
I knew she would, just didn't want her too!
Yeah alot of players have been, perhaps something hanging around the locker rooms.
Franny into semi's now!
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