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US Open, third round
Tsvetana Pironkova – Dona Vekic 6-4 6-1
Tsvetana Pironkova plays incredible tennis and qualifies for the US Open quarterfinals, matching her best achievement in New York since 2012. The Bulgarian, who returned after a three-year hiatus, he outpointed a third consecutive opponent in his first tournament since 2017, and again without dropping a set. The former №31 beat Donna Vekic in 24th place in the world 6-4 6-1.
In the first phase, the former Wimbledon semi-finalist eliminated Lyudmila Samsonova, and then presented the biggest surprise. Bulgarian woman eliminated Australian Open finalist Garbine Muguruza after 7-5 6-3 and I made a request for something big. In the next phase, Madison Keys or Alise Cornet are waiting for her.
Today, Tsvetana did not commit a single double error and took advantage of the eight of the Croatian. He scored only 51% of his first serves, but won 76% of the playoffs in these cases. He covered three of four break balls and materialized all five opportunities he had on Vekic’s passes. The big difference was in the unprovoked errors: only 7 for the Bulgarian and 31 for the 24 of the world.
The match started badly for Pironkova and Vekic won the game to zero. It was impressive that the Bulgarian’s left thigh was bandaged and that justified the fear of injury the Plovdiv woman received in the match against Garbine Mugurusa. A great response from Pironkova followed. The Bulgarian returned the gesture to her opponent and responded with a game to nil.
Vekic showed that his strategy would be to make Pironkova move as much as possible around the court and thus take advantage of his opponent’s injury. The Bulgarian showed great defense, but in several situations she had no chances. Vekic attacked aggressively again, but our former first racket waited patiently for her moments and with several excellently placed winners managed to reach a new tie in games.
The Croatian’s aggressive attacks this time achieved the desired effect and she went ahead for the third time, registering a new game to zero. Pironkova again did not allow Vekic to separate in the result and reached a new tie after a very smart and reasonable game – 3-3. The Bulgarian squandered a 30-0 lead, but a sudden loss of concentration by Vekic led to two unprovoked errors by the Croatian and the native tennis player took the lead for the first time since the start of the match – 4-3.
Pironkova managed to save two points to win the game, but on the third attempt Vekic succeeded, albeit with the help of the net. Vekic won the first point, but Pironkova reacted, after which two consecutive double errors by the Croatian tipped the balance in Tsveti’s favor. Vekic showed visible signs of nervousness as she tossed her racket onto the court after one of the playoffs.
The Bulgarian showed exceptional composure in the last set of the game and did not allow Vekic to surprise her in any way. The Croatian showed her irritation again, throwing the ball into the stands after one of the playoffs – 6-4.
Vekic decided to increase the speed of the service and the risk was worth it. Pironkova was visibly difficult, and the Croatian finished the game with a direct service point. Vekic’s aggression turned against her this time. Pironkova defended well and this led to further unprovoked errors from the Croatian and a game for our former first rocket.
The experience of the Bulgarian woman spoke her word and took great advantage of her opponent’s hesitations. After one of the playoffs, Vekic again lost her temper, having a very loud conversation with her coach, after which the game ended with a double fault on her part – 2-1.
Tsvetana Pironkova. What an unreal story.
– José Morgado (@josemorgado) September 5, 2020
The Bulgarian confirmed the breakthrough successfully and took advantage of the psychological advantage in the match, then realized another break and was only two games away from success. He came within two match points from the seventh game and scored the first – 6-4 6-1.
From retirement to Round 4. Tsvetana Pironkova’s career story is incredible.
More information 👉 https://t.co/N7qBsbpd2L pic.twitter.com/Bct3QRx4qU
– US Tennis Open (@Usopen) September 5, 2020
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