Vaidisova Over Powers Hantuchova in 2nd Rd

Medibank International
2008-01-08
By Ben Rassieur

Daniela Hantuchova and Nicole Vaidisova faced off in the first evening match. There are a lot of similarities between these two players. Both are tall, have big serves, and both are consider among the attractive girls on tour. Another similarity was they both faced three set scares yesterday.

But today would be straight sets for Nicole Vaidisova. She brought the heat in the first set serving up four aces. Her return game wasnt half bad either, getting nine break opportunities but only converting two. Hantuchovas serve helped her save a few of those breakpoints. But the two Nicole got were enough to take the first set 6-4.

During the second set Hntuchovas serve became ineffective as she only won 45% of her first serves. And as if to magnify the problem she was unable to do anything on her returns. Late in the set, serving down 1-5, the Slovak looked geared for some late like yesterday. She saved two break opportunities to stay alive. But she couldnt get that elusive break opportunity. Vaidisova served out the set, holding at love.

This was Hantuchovas first and only tune-up for the Australian Open. She pulled out of the Hong Kong exhibition last week with abdominal pains. Those pains didnt seem to be bothering her this week but she didnt get much match experience either. I guess she can take some positives form her three set comeback yesterday to the dismay of Dinara Safina.

Vaidisova made the quarters last week at the Gold Coast event. She lost to eventual champion Na Li. Tomorrow shell face the winner of the Tatiana Golovin/ Jelena Jankovic match.