Top seeds progress as ladies begin qualifying campaigns
Melinda Czink and Misaki Doi were among the top ladies’ seeds to successfully navigate their way through their opening round qualifying matches in glorious sunshine this afternoon but second seed Eva Birnerova was not so fortunate – crashing out 6-4, 6-2 to Petra Rampre.
Even so, top-seeded Hungarian Czink had her work cut out in the form of her opponent Victoria Larriere, who easily matched the world No.102 in power, accuracy, consistency and depth of shot. Blistering groundstroke winners proved to be the hallmark of the match, but it was the sprinkling of winning slice volleys and deft touch drop shots that had the spectators cooing in appreciation.
For much of the first set Larriere exuded an air of confidence that helped her push the top seed to a first tie-break, but at that point the Frenchwoman’s game, notably her backhand, began to desert here paving the way for errors and the loss of the first set 6-7(1).
Come the second set gutsy baseline play helped Larriere save three match points but it was Czink who carved out a beautiful crosscourt winner on the fourth to seal the match 7-6, 6-4.
“It was a very tough match,” Czink told Wimbledon.com. “I knew she was going to come out and start firing and I think she played really, really well especially serving. She was going for her shots and had nothing to lose. I think I had to stay very tough and sharp and be very aggressive.
“I think I had a couple of short balls on those [match] points and didn’t finish at the net. She sensed that I was getting tight and a little hesitant and took advantage. I’m happy with the way I played. It was a good match, a good start.”
Over on Court 12, the nerves of fourth seed Misaki Doi were tested when she found herself at the wrong end of a 5-2 second set scoreline against world No.155 Tetiana Luzhanska. But experience told and the Japanese player, who had strong support in the crowd, managed to cobble together the next five games in a row and pocket the match 6-3, 7-5.
Germany’s Dinah Pfizenmaier, the No.21 seed also guaranteed a second round showing after ousting Hungarian Reka-Luca Jani 6-3, 7-5.
But while the sun was shining brightly in the sky the mood of Eva Birnerova undoubtedly darkened on Court 8. The second seed was forced out of the tournament 4-6, 2-6 by Petra Rampre who, at No.168, sits 64 spots above her in the world rankings.
Comeback king Brian Baker enjoyed a no-nonsense victory over Germany’s Denis Gremelmayr. The eleventh seeded American, who returned to the tour earlier this year following a six year absence due to injury, looked sharp and decisive throughout and recovered from a 0-3 deficit in the second to secure the match 6-2, 6-4.
“I thought I played a pretty clean match, I had a lot of chances the first set on his serve pretty much every game and returned well when I had to and was fortunate to come away with a not too taxing match,” he said.
Now only one match stands between Baker and a place in the main draw. So how does he feel? “You’ve got to look at it the same as any other match even though it’s qualifying for Wimbledon. I’ve just got to approach it the same way, I’ll do the same things and hopefully come out prepared and play a good match. I’ll eat a good dinner, warm up well, stretch well and maybe put some tunes on,” he smiled.
More to follow
