Hantuchova into quarterfinals at Pilot Pen
NEW HAVEN, Connecticut (AP) — Second-seeded Daniela Hantuchova survived three match points in a 3-6 6-2 7-6 victory over Olga Govortsova of Belarus in a second round match at the Pilot Pen tournament.
Hantuchova had to survive some nervous moments against Govortsova.
“It was very close and I still ca not believe I won it,” said Hantuchova, who is ranked 12th in the world.
“The crowd helped me very much and I am very excited to be in the quarterfinals.”
It is the fourth time Hantuchova has reached the quarterfinals at the Pilot Pen, a warm-up to next week’s U.S. Open.
Hantuchova gained rhythm in the second set easily winning 6-2, but had trouble serving in the third. She saved three match points on her serve in the 12th game to force the tiebreaker.
In another second round match, seventh-seeded Alize Cornet of France advanced after defeating Katarina Srebotnik of Slovakia, 7-6 4-6 6-2.
Earlier on Wednesday, Amelie Mauresmo showed no signs of the nagging injuries that sidelined her for several weeks, defeating fifth-seeded Patty Schnyder 6-4 3-6 7-6 in the second round.
The former world No.1 is trying to find her kind before the U.S. Open after battling rib and muscle injuries that sidelined her for several weeks after losing to Serena Williams in the third round at Wimbledon.
Mauresmo, who is now ranked 33rd in the world, will face fourth-seeded Agnes Szavay of Hungry in the quarterfinals. The two have never played each other.
Top-seeded Anna Chakvetadze also moved into the quarterfinals, rolling past Casey Dellacqua of Australia 6-4 6-4 despite 11 double faults in her second round match.
“I lost my rhythm a little bit on my serve because of the wind in the first set,” Chakvetadze said. “I could not find it in the second, as well. But still, I was fighting to the end and I’m pleased with this win.”
Chakvetadze, ranked eighth in the world, is looking for her second WTA Tour title this year. She won the Paris indoor title earlier this year and advanced to her fourth quarterfinal this season.
The men’s top seed, Fernando Verdasco of Spain, had little trouble with Ivo Minar of the Czech Republic, winning his third-round match 6-3 6-1.
Verdasco is making his fourth appearance at the Pilot Pen. He reached the quarterfinals in 2005 and 2007. “I am so happy with my level of play today,” Verdasco said. “I always play well here in New Haven and I am hoping to play my best.”
Luka Gregorc of Slovaki upset the men’s second seed, Ivo Karlovic, 7-6 4-6 6-2 in their third-round match. American Robby Ginepri’s run at the Pilot Pen also ended. Mischa Zverev of Germany defeated Ginepri 1-6 6-3 6-1 in their third round match.
“I changed my game (after the first set),” Zverev said. “I was serving and volleying and then I tried to stay back and wear him down. It worked.”
Ginepri said he let the match get away from him. “I was hitting everything for a winner and everything was going 100 percent my way,” Ginepri said. “When the match kind of got tight in a couple of points, I started to panic maybe a little bit.” Zverev will face Verdasco in the quarterfinals.
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