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US Open, first round
Tsvetana Pironkova – Lyudmila Samsonova 6-2 6-3
Three years after her last match on the tour, Tsvetana Pironkova returned with a resounding victory. The former first racket from Bulgaria beat the world №120 Lyudmila Samsonova 6-2 6-3 in the first round of the US Open. The 2010 Wimbledon semi-finalist showed good tennis after a long break, and in the second phase she will face a great test: two-time Grand Slam champion and tenth-ranked Garbine Muguruza, who surpasses Nao Hibino from 6-4 6-4.
Pironkova overcame the Russian with patience and perseverance, taking advantage of the excessive aggression in her game. It is important to note that Tsvetana’s backhand was at a great level, with her taking control of the playoffs and dictating the pace, often finishing points directly with this shot. Her first serve was at a decent level, although she didn’t have the strength she needed. However, the fighting spirit was present and the experience definitely helped the cause of the previous №31.
The former first Bulgarian missile in the checkers is classified in the main US Open scheme thanks to the “protective classification” system. The last Wimbledon 2010 semi-finalist played on the “sacred grass” in London in 2017. She then defeated Sarah Erani 6-1 6-4 in the first phase, then retired after losing to a retired tennis player: Carolyn Wozniaky.
Pironkova retired because she was pregnant and in March 2018 she gave birth to their son Alexander. The former №31 never officially announced the end of her career, and this year she surprised her fans with the good news that she will be competing on the WTA tour again.
The Bulgarian’s best achievement at the US Open is reaching the fourth round in 2012, where she was eliminated after a 0-6 4-6 loss to Ana Ivanovic.
On her first play after returning from the court, Pironkova showed good defense and a stable backhand to win it. However, it is clear that your service needs a finer adjustment. However, the Bulgarian played a good diagonal backhand and advanced to the net to complete her combination to 30-30. The former Wimbledon semi-finalist showed great stamina in a very long game and reached for the ball.
However, Samsonova took advantage of two opponent’s inaccuracies and reversed development for a chance to break through. Her comeback was good then, but Tsvetana escaped and managed to lead 1-0 after a direct point from serve. The 21-year-old Russian made a double mistake on her first pass and fell behind 15-30. However, she managed to turn with two good opening shots.
Pironkova took the ball early after the rebound, but made more mistakes. However, Samsonova relied on aggressive play and in the early stages of the match this played a bad joke on her, because her performance was also full of inaccuracies. In the fourth game she still managed to clear them despite good returns from the Bulgarian.
Pironkova showed her class in an extremely important moment: 30-30 in the fifth game. She threw a powerful serve down the right, advanced to the net and finished off with a forehand on the line. Although it was tied, it did notice a backhand winner from the right and took a 3-2 lead after another good serve.
Samsonova was mainly looking for the opponent’s backhand, but it was too stable. Through him, the Bulgarian managed to gain control of the playoffs, as he did 30-0 in the sixth game. Then he connected and finished the volleyball, and then he realized a direct winner from the backhand country to get three breakballs in a row. The Russian saved the first with a good kick-off, but then made a mistake and fell behind with a breakthrough and 2-4.
The former №31 gained a great deal of self-confidence and made a successful second action on the court. He also improved the first kickoff, adding precision and more strength, leading to a break at halftime and a 5-2 lead.
In the next game, Samsonova made a mistake at 30-30 and gave the opponent a fixed ball. She did not score the first serve at the next point, and the backhand did not pass to Pironkova and she won the first set after coming back – 6-2. In the first half, the Bulgarian scored 61% of her first shots in the game and won 74% of the points in these cases.
Three weak forehand shots from the previous №31 allowed the opponent to change from 0-30 and reach a breaking point immediately after the break. Samsonova did not find the court from a clear position. This turned out to be decisive: Tsvetana was saved and opened her account in the second set. Our first previous racket continued to rely on its solid backhand and finish from this side. The Russian found a way to surprise her in the next action to the net, but then Pironkova used the diagonal to take a 2-1 lead.
Pironkova was 15-40 behind in Game 4, but reached the deuce after taking control of the playoffs from the front line. Several times she managed to neutralize the opponent’s advantage, eventually reaching breakball. However, the Russian escaped and drew 2-2.
In the sixth game Samsonova made several mistakes at key moments, and Pironkova took advantage of the gifts and took a 4-2 lead. The former Wimbledon semi-finalist fell behind 0-30 and although he called, he missed with a backhand and gave Samson a point for a rebreak. The Russian took advantage and immediately melted her liabilities.
The world №120 continued to experience problems. She double-faulted and fell behind 0-30 in her attempt to consolidate the advance, immediately followed by another double. Pironkova got three breakballs in a row and took advantage of the second – 5-3. Until the end, the Bulgarian did not waste the initiative and closed the game with her own pass to qualify for the next phase.
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