Dr. Andrew Broad
Tennis
Daniela Hantuchová
Wimbledon 2009 Match-Reports

Women's Singles

• First round: Laura Robson* (added 9th August 2009)
• Second round: Zheng,Jie* (added 23rd August 2009)
• Third round: Ai Sugiyama* (added 15th September 2009)
• Fourth round: Serena Williams* (added 20th September 2009)

Pretournament

Daniela has yet to regain the kind of form she was enjoying prior to a ten-week lay-off with a stress-fracture in her right heel from April to June 2008, but she has a respectable win/loss record of 21:15 for 2009 so far. Still, it feels strange to see her unseeded (she just went back up to #32 a week too late to be seeded at Wimbledon, and would have been displaced by Maria Sharapova's elevation to 24th seed anyway) after all the time she has spent in the top 20 and top 10 in recent years.

Daniela had what the French might call "une problčme Cornet" earlier in the year: after losing to Alizé Cornet in the third round of the Australian Open, she also lost to her in the second round of Paris.

Daniela reached the third round of Dubai, but lost 6-2 1-6 6-2 to #58-ranked Virginie Razzano: her first-round opponent here. She then reached the fourth round of Indian Wells, but suffered a disappointing 6-3 6-2 loss to #29 Sybille Bammer, and was thrashed 6-3 6-1 by Anna Chakvetadze - who's having a much worse year than Daniela - in the second round of Miami.

Daniela reached the quarter-finals of Ponte Vedra Beach - only to be thrashed 6-2 6-2 by #12-ranked eventual champion Caroline Wozniacki. She then scored a 6-7 6-3 6-4 revenge-win over Cornet in Fed Cup, then thrashed her 6-3 6-1 in the first round of Stuttgart before losing 6-4 6-2 to Majorless world #1 Dinara Safina in the second round.

At Rome, she beat Vera Dushevina 6-4 6-1, only to lose 6-3 6-3 to #8 Svetlana Kuznetsova in the second round. At Madrid, she beat Gisela Dulko 7-6 6-1 - a fine win on clay - but lost 7-5 6-2 to Jelena Jankovic in the second round.

At Warsaw, Daniela battled past claycourt-specialist Nuria Llagostera Vives 3-6 6-3 6-3, thrashed #81 Urszula Radwanska 6-3 6-1, then came through another tough battle against #116 Klára Zakopalová 6-3 4-6 6-4 to reach the semi-finals. There, she lost 6-4 6-7 6-1 to #201-ranked qualifier Alexandra Dulgheru, who caused perhaps the biggest upset in tennis-history by winning the Premier title!!

Daniela still doesn't seem to be as fit as she was before her big injury last year, when she was one of the very fittest players on the Tour. To lose 6-1 in the third set to Dulgheru seems to emphasise this.

Daniela succumbed to a very tough first-round draw at the French Open, losing 6-3 6-3 to #36 Virginie Razzano.

But her return to grass was much more encouraging. Although I was disappointed that she skipped Birmingham, she got two wins at 's-Hertogenbosch - #53 Roberta Vinci 7-6 6-4 and #74 Kateryna Bondarenko 2-6 6-2 6-1, who are both good grass-court players - before losing 1-6 6-4 6-3 to Majorless world #1 Dinara Safina in the quarter-finals.

Daniela has an intriguing first-round showdown with 15-year-old Laura Robson, who won the Wimbledon 2008 Girls' Singles title.

She could then face Wimbledon 2008 semi-finalist Zheng,Jie in the second round. If Magdaléna Rybáriková could beat Zheng at Birmingham, why not Daniela at Wimbledon?

If the seeds hold after that, Daniela could face Patty Schnyder in the third round and Serena Williams in the fourth round (as in 2007, when Serena suffered a spasm-induced calf-strain but was saved by a rain-delay).

But Serena has been struggling with a knee-injury and poor form in recent months, and also has a tricky draw, with dangerous Lucie Šafárová in her second round, and Birmingham-champion Magdaléna Rybáriková in her third round - I hope Lucie or Magda will come through instead!

WOMEN'S SINGLES

My preview

It's not what I was hoping for either of them, but I'm very excited that Daniela gets to take on last year's Girls' Singles champion Laura Robson, who, at 15, is the youngest player in the main draw of the Wimbledon Women's Singles since 14-year-old Martina Hingis in 1995.

It would certainly be humiliating were Daniela to lose. I already had a taste of such humiliation when Romana Tabaková - of whom I'm a demi-fan - lost to Robson in the semi-finals of the Girls' Singles last year. I thought Romana was heading for the title after her impressive win over Polona Hercog in the quarter-finals, but instead she fell to an embarrassing 6-2 7-5 loss to the precocious 14-year-old Robson, and unfairly copped a lot of flak for hitting an underarm ace (a perfectly legitimate shot) at 2-6 *3-4 (Ad Romana).

Robson then beat Noppawan Lertcheewakarn 6-3 3-6 6-1 in the Girls' Singles final.

Still only 14, Robson made her professional début at ITF Limoges in September 2008, beating #873 Alice Balducci 6-7 7-5 6-4, but retiring in the second round.

She followed that up by reaching the semi-finals of ITF Shrewsbury, beating #128-ranked Wimbledon 2007 Girls' Singles champion Urszula Radwanska 6-3 6-3! She beat #123 Tzipora Obziler also 6-3 6-3, but lost 6-2 3-6 6-0 to #106 Maret Ani.

Robson made her WTA Tour début at Luxembourg 2008, losing 1-6 6-2 6-3 to world #42 Iveta Benešová, and learning the valuable lesson that adults fight back.

She won her first professional title at ITF Sunderland without beating anyone higher than #461, beating #1052 Samantha Vickers 6-3 6-2 in the final.

Robson reached the Australian Open 2009 Girls' Singles final, beating Lertcheewakarn again in the semi-finals, but losing 6-3 6-1 to Ksenia Pervak, who was already a seasoned pro at 17, and was only playing the juniors to justify her trip to Australia after she lost early in the main event.

Robson did not play between the Australian Open and the week before the French Open, as she was suffering from shin-splints due to growing too quickly, and also studying for her GCSEs.

Although Robson inherited the junior world #1 ranking from Lertcheewakarn during her absence, she didn't play like it when she came back. She lost 6-4 6-0 to Sloane Stephens in the quarter-finals of a junior-tournament at Milan, then lost in the second round of the French Open Girls' Singles: 7-6 1-6 6-3 to Sandra Zaniewska. But clay is Robson's least-favourite surface, as she doesn't like what it does to her socks.

Robson has prepared for Wimbledon by playing a couple of exhibition-tournaments on grass. At Nottingham, she played three matches against world #169 Olga Savchuk, winning the middle one 7-6 1-6 [17/15], but losing the other two. At Liverpool, she reached the final with wins over a couple of unknown British girls and world #288 Tamaryn Hendler (7-6 7-6), but lost 6-4 2-6 [10/6] to #91 Michelle Larcher de Brito.

Ever since Robson won the Girls' Singles last year, I'd been hoping she would get a wild card into the 2009 Women's Singles (it was only recently upgraded from qualifying to main draw, as the LTA used its "exceptional circumstances" clause to override Robson's WTA ranking: currently #488, which is way below the LTA's cut-off point of #250), and was fascinated to see whom she would draw.

I was hoping that Robson would get a winnable match against someone I don't much care for, and was kind of scared she'd get a member of my Eternal Fanship, all of whom are currently struggling with poor form or injuries (except Magdaléna Rybáriková, who sensationally won Birmingham).

Obviously, Daniela and Robson have never met before. I fancy Daniela's chances after her good run at 's-Hertogenbosch. Daniela has an impressive career grass-court record, is vastly more experienced than Robson, and is one of the most flairsomely talented players in tennis-history. All this should be too much for Robson, who has lost a lot of ground with her absence between January and May.

Daniela may have to deal with a partisan crowd, as there has been a lot of hype about Robson in the British media since she won the Girls' Singles. But Daniela's no stranger to playing home-players at the Majors this year, having drawn Casey Dell'Acqua at the Australian Open and Virginie Razzano at the French Open. She only needs to draw an American in the first round of the US Open to complete the set!

I can't wait to see this match on BBC television! The atmosphere is going to be electric!

Prematch articles

Robson drawn to face Hantuchová [CEEFAX 490->491] (Friday 19th June 2009)
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Fifteen-year-old British wild card Laura Robson will take on Daniela Hantuchová in the first round at Wimbledon.

Robson will become the youngest player in the Women's Singles since Martina Hingis in 1995, before defending her Girls' title in the second week.
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Hantuchová match for Robson [Teletext 495->497]
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Hantuchová for Robson [Teletext 498]

The wild card, 15, won the junior-title in 2008, and faces a tough test against the Slovakian 2002 quarter-finalist.
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Robson leads GB hopes on Day One [CEEFAX 490->493]
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Junior-champion Laura Robson starts her first Major tournament against Daniela Hantuchová of Slovakia in the first match on Court Two at 12:00 BST.

The wild card, 15, faces a tough task against world number 35 Hantuchová.
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Seles urges débutante Robson to embrace hype (Reuters, Sunday 21st June 2009)
By Pritha Sarkar (editing by Alison Wildey)
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• Britain's Robson makes Major début at Wimbledon.
• Junior-Wimbledon champion plays Hantuchová on Court Two.

Robson and Hantuchová have the honour of being the first competitors to play on the new 4,000-seater Court Two, which is built like a sunken amphitheatre.
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ROBSON IS URGED TO ENJOY EXPERIENCE [Teletext 495->496] (Monday 22nd June 2009)
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Laura Robson has been urged by fellow Briton Andy Murray to "enjoy" her début in the main draw at Wimbledon.

Murray said: "First, she should enjoy it, and go into the match believing she can win, but also try and learn as much as possible from it."
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Wimbledon: Day 1 Preview (www.sonyericssonwtatour.com)
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Two former champions - Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova - headline the opening day's play at The Championships - along with a brand new retractable roof, which hopefully won't be called to action. But the attention of British fans will settle on Laura Robson: the 15-year-old who makes her Major début against Daniela Hantuchová, as the youngest player to contest Wimbledon since Martina Hingis in 1995.

Court 2: Daniela Hantuchová (SVK) v Laura Robson (GBR)[WC] (First meeting)
            Last week, as she stole the first set from Safina 6-1 at 's-Hertogenbosch, Hantuchová reminded that when she is on song, she as good as anyone.
            Sometimes tension gets in the way of greater things, though, and this match-up would have been a potential nightmare for any of the marquee players.
            Robson won the hearts of the British nation when she captured the junior-title here 12 months ago, and all of the older competitors whom she has played since then have commented on her remarkable talent.
            The young lefty has never faced an opponent of Hantuchová's calibre, though, and it has to be said that the 26-year-old Slovak has pulled out some ding-dong wins over local favorites this year: namely Casey Dell'Acqua at the Australian Open, and Alizé Cornet at Fed Cup.
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My TV-report

+ Daniela Hantuchová [EF] d. Laura Robson [WC], 3-6 6-4 6-2

A wonderful match in terms of the quality of play, the nailbiting contest (Daniela recovered from a set and a break down: 3-6 2-3*), and of course Daniela's beauty (well, okay: Robson's kind of cute, too).

15-year-old Robson played unbelievably, with big, left-handed serves, groundstrokes of flairsome power, and good hands too (e.g. to cut off a dipping pass with a half-volley dropshot-winner at *0-1 (0/15) in the third). She is a tremendous talent with a very bright future. All she needs is more experience, to be injury-free, and to improve her footwork (sometimes she takes one big step rather than several small steps, and this can cause unforced errors).

Robson made me feel very embarrassed as a Daniela-fan in the first set, as Daniela looked weaker and more erratic than the 15-year-old.

The momentum began to swing when Daniela was 2-4* down in the first set, as Daniela began to hit the ball much better. Although Robson held for 5-2, and ultimately won the first set, she was getting nervous - so was Daniela, but the difference was that Daniela was experienced enough to capitalise on her opponent's nerves, and Robson wasn't.

Double faults let Robson down big time in this match: she served a total of 14, including one at *3-2 (Ad Daniela) to give Daniela the break back; she also finished the match with a double fault.

By the third set, Robson's body-language - so positive in the first set - was negative, and she allowed some distractions to get to her: an emergency-siren and a couple of line-calls. She was making more errors than before, and had lost her way tactically.

I look forward to watching more of Robson when she defends her Girls' Singles title next week - and to watching more of Daniela in the Women's Singles, of course!

Prematch routine

Scott Murray (guardian.co.uk): "Welcome to Wimbledon 2009, where a Henmanesque nightmare set to last for years begins for poor Laura Robson.
            'Here's another great player coming,' says Peter Lundgren: a former coach of Roger Federer. 'She's the best girl I have seen in a long time. She has the talent. She has everything.' No pressure, then.
            "Still, at least there's no preposterous burden of hope being dumped on her young shoulders yet. Robson might have last year's Wimbledon junior-title under her belt, as well as a final-appearance in this year's Australian Open, but she's still only 15. A wild-card entry making her Major début, she has little chance of beating Daniela Hantuchová today, with the 26-year-old Slovakian ranked No.32 in the world - 456 places above Robson.
            "Having said that, Hantuchová's second serve is slightly less dependable than Sergio García's putting stroke. Okay, nothing's that bad. But it's slow and flaky enough to have earned her a reputation for choking, so you never know.
            "Tok, tok, tok: they're knocking up. The first-ever game on Wimbledon's all-new 4,000-seater Court 2 is about to start.
            "The first instance of tiresome jingoism at Wimbledon '09, and a ball's not been struck in anger yet. One has accidentally hit Robson, though - Hantuchová sending a practice-serve pinging off the young Australi... sorry, the young Brit's back. 'BOOOOO,' hiss the crowd. Dear Lord, does it always have to be this way?"

First set

HANTUC    *@  *  3
ROBSON *@*  @* * 6

The match started at 12:10 BST.

Robson serving 0-0: Ace down the middle! 15/0. Daniela on the fourth stroke hit a pinpoint forehand winner down the line: right in the corner. 15/15. Virtual ace down the middle, curling away from Daniela. 30/15. Left-handed Robson hit an off-forehand just wide. 30/30. Second serve out wide forced a short return, which Robson dispatched with a crosscourt forehand virtual winner. 40/30. First serve out wide caught the outside edge of the sideline, forcing Daniela to bunt a backhand return long.

Scott Murray (guardian.co.uk): "And we're off! Robson serves in the opening game... and her first-ever point in a Major championship is an ace! The only way is down.
            "After that opening ace, the players embark on a series of lengthy rallies from the baseline. Nothing spectacular happens, Robson holding her serve easily enough."

A very, very impressive start by Robson, especially her serve. I'm very worried for Daniela if Robson can keep up this form!

Daniela serving 0-1: Robson's short-angled crosscourt backhand return forced Daniela to net a forehand. 0/15. Second serve down the middle + crosscourt forehand deep in the corner + off-forehand drive-volley winner. 15/15. Daniela went to the net, but a dipping ball at her feet forced her to net a forehand half-volley. 15/30. Robson played a good spreading rally, her off-forehand setting up a backhand winner down the line. 15/40 (BP #1). Daniela's terrific body-jamming second serve forced Robson to earth a backhand return with a cute little yelp. 30/40 (BP #2). On the third stroke, Daniela sprayed a forehand long to get broken.

Robson serving 2-0: Daniela's deep crosscourt forehand return just inside the baseline forced Robson to hit a backhand long. 0/15. Double fault (second serve just wide). 0/30. Robson's body-jamming second serve forced Daniela to net a forehand return. 15/30. Good first serve down the middle, but Daniela's deep off-forehand return forced Robson to spray a down-the-line forehand wide. 15/40 (BP #1). Ace down the middle, curling away from Daniela. 30/40 (BP #2). First serve out wide + down-the-line backhand winner back behind Daniela. Deuce #1. Robson on the third stroke hit a forehand long. Ad Daniela (BP #3). First serve out wide + crosscourt forehand winner deep into the corner. Deuce #2. Robson hit a brilliant short-angled crosscourt backhand, forcing Daniela to hit a forehand wide. Ad Robson. Ace #3: down the middle, on the centre-line.

Scott Murray (guardian.co.uk): "Robson falls 15/40 behind, but then bangs down her second ace - a huge serve - followed by another whipped winning forehand down the line (A-G on the OH-I-SAY-O-METER™). So she's saved the first two break-points against her serve - then a third - before whacking down a third ace to hold her serve! This is totally nerveless from Robson, who is finding the corners of the court with unerring ease."

Chris Bailey: "You certainly wouldn't think that was a 15-year-old playing those break-points."
Tracy Austin: "Laura's just come out here beautifully, enjoyed herself since the flip of the coin."

Daniela serving 0-3: First serve out wide + crosscourt backhand half-volley dropshot-winner. 15/0. Robson went for a crosscourt backhand winner onto the sideline, but it was slightly mishit, and wide by just a whisker. 30/0. Robson dominated the point after a terrific deep, hard forehand return, but hit a forehand smash wide. 40/0. Daniela got away with a short second serve, as Robson netted a very makeable backhand return.

Scott Murray (guardian.co.uk): "Hantuchová holds her serve to love, but can only boast that because Robson balloons one volley at the net straight into the stand at the left-hand side of the court."

It's a big relief for Daniela to get on the scoreboard after such a brilliant start by Robson!

Robson serving 3-1: Double fault (second serve long). 0/15. Second serve out wide: Daniela sprayed a wild backhand return very long. 15/15. Robson on the third stroke hit an off-forehand just wide. 15/30. Robson netted a forehand. 15/40 (BP). Double fault (second serve appeared to hit the service-line, but was called long).

Scott Murray (guardian.co.uk): "Robson's serve - so strong in her opening two service-games - goes to pot. Hantuchová jumps all over a couple of slow second serves, then wanders back to her chair after Robson double-faults weakly into the net. We're back on serve."

The errors that crept into Robson's game in the fourth game continued into her own service-game. She looked very anxious as she walked to the changeover after being broken back.

Daniela serving 2-3: Robson on the fourth stroke dumped a forehand halfway up the net. 15/0. First serve out wide: a mildly awkward forehand return induced Daniela to hit a crosscourt forehand just wide. 15/15. Second serve: Robson hit a penetrating backhand return down Daniela's backhand-line, forcing Daniela to hoist a defensive backhand lob, and Robson hit an off-forehand drive-volley winner from no-man's-land! 15/30. Nervy double fault (second serve into the net). 15/40 (BP). Second serve: Robson's off-forehand return just inside the sideline forced Daniela to hit a short forehand, which Robson dispatched with a crosscourt forehand winner to reinstate her break.

Scott Murray (guardian.co.uk): "Robson's forehand is immense. Here, she wallops a forehand of glorious violence from A to H with Hantuchová all over the shop (spinning around, appropriately, on E). Then Hantuchová goes super-flaky, double-faulting, then chipping the ball softly into the air, allowing Robson to whistle it past her lugs (D to G). What a reply by Robson to being broken."

Robson serving 4-2: Double fault (second serve just long). 0/15. Deep first serve out wide forced Daniela to earth a one-handed backhand return. 15/15. Daniela's crosscourt forehand + deep forehand down the line induced Robson to hit a crosscourt forehand wide. 15/30. Daniela played a good spreading rally: her deep forehand down the line forced Robson to hit a very short forehand, which Daniela dispatched with a crosscourt forehand winner - her first really convincing point of the match. Tracy Austin: "Hantuchová looks like she's finding that groove a little better. Hits the ball with such ease - very fluid." 15/40 (BP #1). First serve out wide + off-forehand winner back behind Daniela. 30/40 (BP #2). Good depth and spreading by Robson, and Daniela netted a backhand. Deuce #1. Deep first serve down the middle forced Daniela to bunt a backhand return long. Ad Robson. Double fault (second serve very long). Chris Bailey: "That's one of mine!" Deuce #2. Ace down the middle: just inside the service-line. Ad Robson. First serve out wide - right in the corner - but Daniela's acute-angled crosscourt backhand return forced Robson to hit a down-the-line forehand wide, drawing a loud "ah" from the crowd. Deuce #3. Daniela upped the pace, stranding Robson with a backhand down the line, and cleaning the other sideline with a pinpoint forehand winner down the line. Ad Daniela (BP #3). First serve down the middle (on the service-line): forehand return just long. Deuce #4. First serve down the middle forced a short return; Robson hit a short-angled off-forehand just inside the sideline, forcing Daniela to stretch wide & low and net a forehand. Ad Robson. First serve out wide + short-angled crosscourt backhand on the sideline forced Daniela to hit a running forehand long.

Scott Murray (guardian.co.uk): "Hantuchová sets Robson rocking back on her heels with a couple of booming forehands of her own, romping to 15/40. But once again, Robson holds her nerve when the chips are down, slamming down a couple of big serves, then, among other things, an ace, a double fault - this game has been a mixed bag alright - and another silly forehand (D to G) to save her serve. She's hitting these big boomers from all angles, showcasing a really versatile game. Hantuchová doesn't look happy at all, and no wonder; she's been second-best so far in a game she surely should win."

Three break-points go begging. Daniela really should have had that game, especially after Robson's wild double fault on her first game-point. At least Daniela's striking the ball better now - earlier, she was actually being overpowered by Robson.

Chris Bailey: "A very graceful game, Laura Robson: no kinks in the motion at all - in any shots."

Daniela serving 2-5 (new balls): First serve out wide, but on the third stroke, Daniela sprayed a crosscourt backhand wide. 0/15. First serve out wide, but Robson's deep forehand return just inside the baseline induced Daniela to hit an off-backhand just wide and just long. Daniela wasted a challenge. 0/30. Robson backhand just long. 15/30. Robson sprayed a crosscourt backhand just wide. 30/30. Robson's short-angled off-forehand return gave Daniela the angle to hit a gorgeous short-angled crosscourt forehand, forcing Robson to stretch wide and net a forehand. Tracy Austin: "Great hands from Hantuchová - great racket-work to create that angle." 40/30. A deep netcord from Robson induced Daniela to hit an off-forehand long. Deuce #1. First serve out wide, but Daniela hit an off-forehand would-be winner just wide. Ad Robson (SP #1). With an emergency-siren going off in the middle of the rally, Robson dumped a backhand thirdway up the net. Deuce #2. First serve out wide + pinpoint forehand winner down the line: right in the corner. Ad Daniela. Second serve out wide: Robson hit a crunching crosscourt forehand winner. Deuce #3. First serve out wide + crosscourt backhand volley-winner. Ad Daniela. Ace out wide: right in the corner, just inside the sideline.

Both players were nervous, but Robson failed to play to Daniela's nerves at 0/30, and Daniela showed both experience and brilliance in the end. One set-point saved.

Scott Murray (guardian.co.uk): "At 0/15, Hantuchová tries to guide a ball down the right-hand tramline, but hits it way too hard. The ball's miles out of court, but she challenges the call anyway. The glee of the home-crowd at the inevitable confirmation of the call seems to unsettle Hantuchová, who battles back to 40/30, but then shanks an easy volley out of play at the net. Having failed to put the game to bed, she needs a couple of nervous deuces and an unforced error from Robson to finally see it through."

Robson serving 5-3: Deep sliced second serve down the middle: Daniela netted a backhand return. 15/0. Deep second serve out wide - in the corner - forced Daniela to spray a backhand return long and wide. Tracy Austin: "This is a perfect example of the lefty slice moving away from the two-hander." 30/0. First serve out wide forced Daniela to bunt a backhand return long and wide. 40/0 (SP #2). Double fault (brave second serve just wide). 40/15 (SP #3). First-serve let. First serve down the middle forced Daniela to bunt a short one-handed backhand return; Robson ran around her backhand to hit a forehand down Daniela's backhand-line, inducing Daniela to mishit a backhand just long. Robson won the first set 6-3 at 12:49 BST (39m).

Scott Murray (guardian.co.uk): "With absolutely no fuss whatsoever, Robson sends a few big serves crashing down, and takes the first set with Hantuchová flailing around on the baseline. There is, potentially, a huge story developing here."

Chris Bailey: "The opening set from Laura Robson full of flamboyance, free hitting, but most of all maturity."
Tracy Austin: "I thought Hantuchová was a little nervous in the beginning - got down 3-0. But she started to find her rhythm, got back to 3-2, and that's where you've gotta give Laura Robson the credit: then she elevated her game that extra level, stayed very poised, was very mature, kept Hantuchová on the move, and probably served out her biggest service-game of her life so far. I think this she would consider a bigger win - if she were to win here today - than winning junior Wimbledon last year."

The striking statistic from the first set is that Daniela only got 50% of her returns in, while Robson got 85% of her returns in. The other striking statistic is that the 15-year-old served four aces, the 26-year-old just one.

Second set

HANTUC * *  @* *@ 6
ROBSON  * *@  *   4

Daniela serving 0-0: Robson on the fourth stroke sprayed a wild forehand very long. 15/0. Deep first serve out wide + crosscourt forehand winner. 30/0. First out wide serve: Robson picked off a deep off-forehand return-winner onto the baseline. 30/15. Second serve: Robson off-backhand return-winner onto the sideline. 30/30. Ace out wide: on the sideline. Tracy Austin: "Took the pace off and went for placement." 40/30. Deep first serve out wide forced Robson to hit a forehand return just long.

Scott Murray (guardian.co.uk): "The sweetest return is sent flying, B to G, past poor Hantuchová's noggin. But the Slovak digs in staunchly, slamming in a couple of unreturnable serves to win the game."

Robson serving 0-1: Ace down the middle. 15/0. Second serve: Daniela went for a short-angled off-forehand return-winner onto the sideline, but it was just wide. 30/0. Deep first serve out wide forced Daniela to bunt a forehand return long. 40/0. Deep first serve down the middle induced Daniela to mishit a forehand return wide.

Scott Murray (guardian.co.uk): "Ping, ping, ping, ping; Robson holds her serve to love. There haven't been many rallies in this game."

Daniela serving 1-1: First serve out wide: down-the-line backhand return just wide. 15/0. Great rally: Robson hit a down-the-line backhand deep into the corner to force a short, defensive backhand from Daniela; Robson completed her advance to the net behind a crosscourt backhand deep into the corner; Daniela crosscourt forehand; Robson backhand volley; Daniela hit a good backhand lob over Robson's head; Robson ran it down and hit a backhand lob that clipped the netcord and fell back on her side! Another cute little yelp from Robson. 30/0. Daniela down-the-line backhand just wide. 30/15. Deep first serve out wide forced Robson to net a forehand return. 40/15. First serve out wide: Robson hit a sharp, short-angled crosscourt forehand return; the long-limbed Daniela picked it off with a forehand dropshot, but Robson ran it down and hit a "stunning" crosscourt forehand winner into the open court. 40/30. Second serve: Robson's deep backhand return induced Daniela to dump a forehand halfway up the net. She threatened to throw her racket. Deuce. Ace down the middle: on the service-line. Ad Daniela. Brave deep second serve down the middle forced Robson to hit a backhand return long.

Scott Murray (guardian.co.uk): "And, having said that, the rally of the game so far. Some baseline-slugging is eventually broken up when Robson advances on the net; she's then deliciously lobbed by Hantuchová, but manages to scamper back and loop a blind effort back over her head. It doesn't quite make it over the net, sadly, the ball teetering on the cord awhile, cartoon-style, before toppling back. Robson wins one point with a powerful wristy forehand (E to D), but Hantuchová is the star of this game, serving out powerfully."

Tracy Austin: "Hantuchová has that kick-serve that works well on the hard courts, works well on the clay, but on the grass, it sits up."

Robson serving 1-2: Ace down the middle: 104mph, on the centre-line. Daniela used up a challenge: Hawk-Eye showed that it caught the outside edge of the centre-line by about 20%. 15/0. Deep first serve down the middle: forehand return long. 30/0. Deep second serve on the service-line forced Daniela to hit a backhand return just long. Daniela looked unhappy with the lack of a call on that second serve, but this time decided not to risk a challenge. 40/0. First serve: Daniela's deep off-forehand return forced Robson to hit a down-the-line forehand wide. 40/15. Double fault (second serve into the net). 40/30. First serve out wide + crosscourt forehand winner.

Scott Murray (guardian.co.uk): "Robson serves to 40/0 with confidence, rocks for a few seconds with a loose forehand and a double fault, but then blazes Hantuchová's return straight back down the line, B to H, to tie up the set."

Daniela serving 2-2: Daniela hit a down-the-line sliced backhand wide. 0/15. Robson hit a deep crosscourt backhand just inside the sideline to force a defensive floater from Daniela, which she dispatched with a crosscourt forehand drive-volley winner from no-man's-land. 0/30. First serve out wide forced Robson to net a backhand return. 15/30. Daniela spread Robson with a crosscourt forehand + down-the-line forehand, inducing Robson to hit a forehand long (it almost hit Daniela on its way out). 30/30. Daniela crosscourt forehand just wide on the third stroke. 30/40 (BP). Second serve: Robson's short-angled crosscourt backhand return induced Daniela to hit a backhand just wide, putting Robson a set and a break up!

BBC 2 is staying with this match, even though Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova are just starting on the two main show-courts! Those matches are relegated to the Red Button for now.

Scott Murray (guardian.co.uk): "It is on. Robson wins the first couple of points. Hantuchová battles back to 30/30, but then slices needlessly out of play (F to where the yellow ball is) with the court gaping. A 0.1mph serve is sent haplessly into the net, before the second one is returned with interest, forcing Hantuchová into another error. And that's a break! Andy Murray is going to be loving this, because the Robson Hype Machine is going to move into overdrive if the Austral... hold on... British youngster can hold onto this."

Robson serving 3-2: Daniela hit a deep forehand onto the baseline, but Robson bunted back a deep forehand of her own, inducing Daniela to net a forehand. Tracy Austin: "That forehand was a bit tight - came across too quickly. It's understandable playing against a 15-year-old." 15/0. Daniela hit a forehand onto the baseline, inducing Robson to hit a backhand just long (she used up a challenge). 15/15. First serve down the middle: backhand return wide. Tracy Austin: "Hantuchová not liking that lefty slice serve, moving away from her backhand-wing today. She has not found the groove on that return." 30/15. Double fault (second serve just wide). 30/30. Daniela opened up the court beautifully with a crosscourt forehand onto the sideline, and hit a down-the-line forehand winner just inside the sideline. 30/40 (BP #1). Second serve: Daniela hit a cheap backhand return just long, but should have challenged, as Hawk-Eye said that it caught the back edge of the baseline by about 1%! Deuce. Robson dominated the point with a first serve down the middle + down-the-line off-forehand onto the sideline, but had too much time to set up for a down-the-line backhand, and dumped it into the net. Ad Daniela (BP #2). Double fault (second serve just long).

Scott Murray (guardian.co.uk): "Hantuchová breaks straight back. And, for the first time, Robson looks like a 15-year-old: she double-faults twice, sends one point weakly into the net, and looks powerlessly on as Hantuchová wallops a monster-forehand down the left-hand tramline (A to G)."

Chris Bailey: "A couple of double faults in that game for Robson, and Hantuchová breaks straight back. First sign that maybe Robson got a little bit tentative there."
Tracy Austin: "You've also gotta hand it to Hantuchová: she seemed to elevate her game a little bit. The errors didn't come quite as easily from Hantuchová's racket."

Daniela serving 3-3: Second serve: Robson netted a forehand return. Tracy Austin: "It's the right play from Robson, but just didn't execute: feet didn't move - they kind of got stuck in one place. And that is definitely a sign of nerves, which would be understandable. That's why she's jumping around: trying to stay loose." 15/0. Robson hit a backhand down the middle, forcing Daniela back on her heels to net a backhand. 15/15. Double fault (second serve into the net). 15/30. Daniela spread Robson with a first serve out wide + crosscourt forehand + down-the-line forehand, forcing Robson to earth a backhand. 30/30. Deep body-jamming second serve forced Robson to hit a backhand return long. 40/30. First serve: Robson's deep forehand return forced Daniela to net a backhand dropshot from just behind the baseline. Deuce #1. Robson, on the fourth stroke, hit a pinpoint forehand winner down the line. Tracy Austin: "This forehand is very difficult to tell which way she's gonna go - very well-disguised because of the wrist-action." Ad Robson (BP). First serve down the middle: Robson mishit a backhand return halfway up the net. Deuce #2. Second serve: off-forehand return just wide. Ad Daniela. She got away with a short second serve, as her crosscourt forehand on the third stroke forced Robson to earth a forehand.

Break-point saved, which would have given Robson a 6-3 *4-3 lead.

Scott Murray (guardian.co.uk): "Hantuchová is beginning to make Robson run around now. A lot. She's hitting deep balls to the corners of the court, forcing Robson to scamper back and forth well behind the baseline. Eventually, the power of the Slovak's hitting becomes too much, and although Robson clings on bravely - even earning herself a break-point after one deuce - Hantuchová's tactic eventually bears fruit, and the game is won.
            "'Hold off on the Australian jibes until she loses!' orders Richard Swan. 'The Aussies might not remember if you don't remind them.'"

Tracy Austin: "Hantuchová doing a really good job of mixing up her serve: placement and spins."

Robson serving 3-4: Ace down the middle: on the service-line. 15/0. Daniela went to the net behind an off-forehand, forcing Robson to hit a forehand long. 15/15. Ace out wide: on the sideline. 30/15. Second serve out wide: Daniela's crosscourt backhand return induced Robson to hit a forehand would-be winner just long. But Robson challenged and it was in, so the point was awarded to Robson without a replay, because the call didn't come until the ball was past Daniela. Some players would have kicked up a fuss about that and verbally abused the umpire, but Daniela just looked unhappy and then got on with it. 40/15. Deep first serve down the middle forced a short return; Robson went to the net behind a crosscourt forehand, forcing Daniela to hit a backhand lob just long.

Scott Murray (guardian.co.uk): "Just as it looks like Robson is rocking, she digs deep with a couple of big serves. Hawk-Eye also comes to the rescue: Robson sends a forehand B to H, but the line-judge claims it's hit the 'O' of the word 'TOK'. It's proved to be on the line, though, and the point is won. As is the game."

Daniela serving 4-4: Daniela played a beautiful spreading rally: her down-the-line forehand + pinpoint backhand down the line forcing a floater from Robson, which Daniela dispatched with a backhand drop-volley winner. 15/0. Daniela backhand just long (it looked like it clipped the baseline to me). 15/15. First serve out wide + beautiful low off-forehand volley-winner. 30/15. Daniela hit a deep forehand down the line, forcing Robson to hit a forehand wide and long. 40/15. First serve out wide + deep crosscourt backhand winner on the baseline. Robson challenged it while Daniela sat down for the changeover: it was plumb on the line.

Scott Murray (guardian.co.uk): "Hantuchová closes this one out easily enough, the game including a perfect serve-and-volley point (H to A followed swiftly by E to D).
            "An aside: 39 minutes of this set have elapsed. Robson had already won the first set by this point. But then, players are bound to slow up when they get older."

A nervous time for me, as Maria Sharapova is currently 1-4* down to Viktoriya Kutuzova on Court One.

Robson serving 4-5: Daniela's short return invited Robson to go to the net behind a crosscourt forehand, but Daniela - from way behind the baseline - hit a stunning backhand pass-winner down the line! 0/15. First serve out wide forced Daniela to net a backhand return. 15/15. Daniela sprayed a wild forehand very long. 30/15. Second serve out wide: Daniela hit a short-angled off-forehand return-winner just inside the sideline - good footwork to get out of the way of the serve. 30/30. Double fault #10 (first serve just wide, second serve into the net). Robson hit a ball into the ground in frustration. 30/40 (SP #1). Double fault #11 (first serve into the net, second serve long). Daniela won the second set 6-4 at 13:31 BST (second set 42m, match so far 1h21m).

Scott Murray (guardian.co.uk): "What a passing-shot by Hantuchová, who whips the first point down the line, B to H, at high velocity. Then she wheechs an unstoppable return B to E. It completely unsettles Robson, who double-faults twice, the c***-ups bookending a minor tantrum when she hammers a ball down to the floor and miles into the sky between points. Hey, she's allowed one or two - she is only 15, whichever way you spin it."

Chris Bailey: "Two double faults on the bounce - Robson may be slightly unsettled by the first-serve call [at 30/30]."
Tracy Austin: "Robson really lost control of her emotions in the last game."

Third set

HANTUC * * *@*@ 6
ROBSON  * *     2

Daniela serving 0-0: First serve out wide: Robson hit a stunning backhand return-winner down the line. 0/15. Ace out wide: just inside the sideline. 15/15. Robson thought the first serve was long, but it wasn't, and she had too much time to set up for the fourth stroke: she dumped a forehand into the net. Tracy Austin: "You can't look for these outside distractions. They didn't call it out, so you've gotta continue to stay focused." 30/15. First serve out wide: Robson netted a forehand return. 40/15. First serve down the middle induced Robson to hit a wild off-forehand return long and wide. Daniela said "vamos".

Scott Murray (guardian.co.uk): "Robson's initial response is fantastic: a return sent whizzing snugly down the line, H to B. But she's clearly unhappy at the moment, offering little resistance during the rest of the game, allowing Hantuchová to serve it out without drama."

Robson looked quite upset as she changed ends.
Chris Bailey: "The first negative body-language we've seen from Robson. Up until the end of the second set and the opening game of the third, she was totally positive."
Tracy Austin: "You're exactly right. At this point, when you're Laura Robson, you've gotta fake it. Even if you wanna show that you're negative, you've got to show your opponent that 'I'm right back in this match. I'm gonna make you fight for each and every point - not let you get any easy, cheap points.'
            "Winning and losing is between the ears - that's what determines it."

Robson serving 0-1: A good rally ended with Robson hitting a forehand very long - for the second time in this match, Daniela had to get out of the way! 0/15. Robson was rather late to decide that she should go to the net behind a penetrating off-forehand, but she made up for it by cutting off Daniela's dipping crosscourt forehand with a gorgeous backhand half-volley dropshot-winner. Tracy Austin: "Great hands. It's great to see that Robson's not afraid to move into the net to finish points off." 15/15. Robson had the initiative early in the rally, but Daniela's backhand just long was not very forced. 30/15. Ace down the middle: on the centre-line. 40/15. Robson's short-angled crosscourt backhand forced Daniela to hit a down-the-line forehand long.

Scott Murray (guardian.co.uk): "A solid response by Robson, who was looking all at sea for a minute back there. This is a no-frills service-game: Hantuchová never in it, Robson advancing to the net to dispatch a couple of crisp volleys.
            "'Hey hey there!' begins Simon Russell, who may or may not be a frustrated children's entertainer. 'Robson left Oz when she was 18 months - she's more Singaporese if anything! Anyway, not wanting to sound to archaic, but it's all the Empire right, so of course she's British!' C.P. Scott is now fully spinning in his grave. In fact, he's probably drilled himself half the way to France."

Daniela serving 1-1: Second serve out wide popped up, inducing Robson to hit a backhand return long. 15/0. Daniela hit a crosscourt backhand just inside the baseline, forcing Robson to hit an off-forehand just wide. 30/0. Daniela's crosscourt forehand induced Robson to dump a backhand halfway up the net. 40/0. Robson mishit a backhand just long, and again showed negative body-language going to the changeover.

Robson serving 1-2: First serve: Daniela's forehand return clipped the netcord and dropped dead for a winner. 0/15. Robson hit a deep crosscourt forehand into the corner to force a backhand floater, which she dispatched with an off-forehand drive-volley winner. 15/15. First serve out wide forced Daniela to net a forehand return. 30/15. First serve out wide + forehand winner down the line. Tracy Austin: "That serve was like a can-opener: completely opened the court. Lefty slice wide." 40/15. Double fault #12 (second serve just long). 40/30. First serve out wide forced a short backhand lob-return, which Robson dispatched with an easy forehand winner down Daniela's backhand-sideline.

Scott Murray (guardian.co.uk): "An unlucky netcord does for Robson in the opening point, but she's not sent rocking back on her heels. Waiting for about 29 minutes for a skied Hantuchová-volley to drop, Robson dispatches an astonishing crosscourt volley, F to C. The point visibly gives her confidence, and one sloppy double fault apart, she sees the game through easily."

Daniela serving 2-2: Second serve: Robson's deep backhand return forced Daniela to net a backhand. 0/15. Daniela hit a crosscourt forehand into the corner just long, and wasted a challenge. 0/30. Deep first serve down the middle forced Robson to hit an off-forehand return wide. 15/30. First serve out wide + pinpoint crosscourt forehand winner just inside the sideline. 30/30. Second serve out wide + low-bouncing forehand down the line forced Robson to earth a forehand. 40/30. Ace out wide: on the sideline.

Excellent recovery from 0/30! That may well have been the key game of this match.

Scott Murray (guardian.co.uk): "Hantuchová is making Robson scoot back and forth along the baseline again; the youngster has no answer to that tactic, and it's surprising Hantuchová isn't employing it more often."

Robson serving 2-3: Robson netted a backhand on the third stroke - one big step to set up for it rather than several little steps to get herself into the perfect position. 0/15. Body-jamming second serve: Daniela netted a backhand return. 15/15. Daniela's deep backhand down the line induced Robson to hit a wild down-the-line backhand wide. 15/30. First serve + deep crosscourt forehand caught the back edge of the baseline, forcing Daniela to bunt a short backhand lob wide. 30/30. Deep first serve down the middle forced a short return, but Robson dumped a cheap backhand into the net. Daniela pumped her fist and said "podme". Several shouts of "c'mon Laura" from the crowd emphasised the importance of the next point. 30/40 (BP). Double fault (second serve just long). Robson put her hand to her forehead, grimaced, and even looked close to tears.

Scott Murray (guardian.co.uk): "A couple of big Hantuchová-returns earn the Slovak a break-point. She has to do no more: Robson - perhaps understandably realising the enormity of what she could achieve here - double-faulting."

Daniela serving 4-2 (new balls): First serve out wide + crosscourt backhand winner. 15/0. Robson hit a "lost her way" backhand very long. 30/0. Daniela tried to serve and volley behind a first serve out wide, but Robson's down-the-line backhand return caught Daniela in no-man's-land, forcing her to hit a floating crosscourt backhand volley that sat up nicely for Robson to hit a crosscourt forehand winner back behind Daniela, who should have stayed at the net to cut it off, instead of retreating to the baseline. 30/15. Deep first serve down the middle + crosscourt forehand forced Robson to earth a one-handed backhand. 40/15. Deep first serve down the middle forced Robson to hit a forehand return long.

Scott Murray (guardian.co.uk): "A brilliant response from Robson: moving Hantuchová all around the court, then whipping a superb forehand winner, B to G - but it's far from enough. Hantuchová takes the point in her stride, and serves the rest of the game out easily."

Tracy Austin: "Hantuchová's body-language looks a lot more positive than it was for the first set and a half."
Chris Bailey: "Robson really in the space of 15-20 minutes just lost her way."
Tracy Austin: "And you really get the feeling that Hantuchová can see that. She can see that Laura Robson has lost her way tactically: she's starting to make a few more errors very quickly, doesn't know which shot to try and attempt. She looks a little bit down on herself emotionally."

Robson serving 2-5: First serve: Daniela hit a deep backhand return onto the baseline, forcing Robson to bunt a half-volley forehand lob long. 0/15. Robson hit a crosscourt backhand deep into the corner + deep down-the-line backhand to force a defensive backhand lob from Daniela; Robson's crosscourt backhand drive-volley winner forced Daniela to hit a forehand long. 15/15. Deep first serve down the middle - on the service-line - forced Daniela to bunt a backhand lob-return long. 30/15. Robson hit an ill-advised dropshot that sat up nicely for Daniela to hit an easy backhand winner down the line. Tracy Austin: "Too much pace from Hantuchová's shot to try a dropshot there, and that's where you feel that Robson's really lost her way strategically and emotionally." 30/30. A couple of rude men in the crowd told Daniela to "get on with it". Robson, on the third stroke, sprayed a wild forehand long. 30/40 (MP #1). Ace down the middle: on the centre-line and the service-line!! Deuce. Robson played a good rally with terrific depth on her forehand, but Daniela showed good lateral retrieval; Robson went for an off-forehand winner down the line, but put it just wide. Daniela pumped her fist. Ad Daniela (MP #2). Robson caught her toss, then went for an ace out wide, but it was just wide. Second serve clipped the netcord and landed just inside the service-line! But the second second serve - again out wide - was long by a whisker for Robson's 14th double fault. Daniela won 3-6 6-4 6-2 at 14:03 BST (third set 32m, match 1h53m).

Scott Murray (guardian.co.uk): "The first point in this game explains how Hantuchová turned this match around: she hit an enormous return right back at Robson's feet, then sent the British youngster bounding left and right, then back again. Eventually a corner is found, and Robson is unable to get enough racquet on the ball to return. There's some unpleasant shouting when the world's most cockney man screams, "CAHM ON, GERT ON WIV ITTTT!" in a really tediously aggressive manner, as Hantuchová towels herself down between points. And then a sad end to a brave performance, as Robson double-faults facing her second match-point. Though she did save the first with a stunning ace - hopefully a small harbinger of things to come."

Daniela looked very happy, with a big smile, while Robson looked very sad and disappointed. Wimbledon means so much to both of them.

Tracy Austin: "I'm sure for Laura Robson, when she woke up this morning, there had to be a thought way back in her mind: 'I hope I don't get killed out there today.' Boy, she played incredibly well. She erased a lot of question-marks about her career and where she can go. A lot of talent, a lot of promise."

John McEnroe (in Today at Wimbledon): "Patty Schnyder was a top-ten player - she's got the same type of game [as Robson]. She's not particularly big - it's not gonna be easy. She sees the ball early, which is good, but when you're 15, you're not afraid, and you don't know what it means, perhaps, in the big context of the thing we call 'life'. So as time goes on, you see players melt a bit under the pressure, so it will be interesting to see how she develops - physically, obviously, and how she can handle the pressure and the expectations now that people see she has some game."

Statistics

Robson was the more aggressive and erratic player with a W:UE ratio of 31:42 (ironically, it was worst in the first set at 12:19), while Daniela had a positive 25:20 (improving set by set from 9:9 to 10:9 to 6:2).

Robson hit 10 aces (4 in each of the first two sets) - which is amazing for a 15-year-old girl - but also served a monstrous 14 double faults (ironically, they decreased from set to set, though she finished the second set with a quadruple fault, and double-faulted at break-point and then match-point in the third). Daniela served 5 aces and 2 double faults.

Robson served slightly faster than Daniela: fastest 108-105 mph, average first serve 102-98 mph, average second serve 91-90 mph.

Daniela got 66% of her first serves in, winning 63% of the points when she did so, and an impressive 61% on second serve. Perhaps the key feature of the turnaround was that Daniela's first-serve winning-percentage improved set by set from 44% to 64% to 85%. Robson's percentage of receiving points won deteriorated from 48% to 40% to 20%.

Robson got 60% of her first serves in, winning 66% of the points when she did so, but only 42% on second serve.

Daniela's BP conversion-rate was typically disappointing as she broke 5 times from 13 BPs (just once from 7 in the first set, then 2 from 3 in each of the next two). Robson broke 3 times from 6 BPs (converting 2 of 4 in the first set, 1 of 2 in the second, and not getting any BPs in the third).

Daniela won an impressive 16 of 17 points at the net (94%, including a perfect 9 of 9 for the last two sets), while Robson won 10 of 13 (77%, including a perfect 3 of 3 for the third set - the same as Daniela).

In points, Daniela won 92-84 (first set 31-36, second set 33-31, third set 28-17).

Daniela's press-conference

Q. What do you think of her [Laura Robson]?

DANIELA HANTUCHOVÁ: Uhm, yeah, obviously she's got talent. I mean, she seems like a very nice girl. You know, it's important now that she has the right people around her.
            You know, it's still a long way for her to go. But definitely she's got a potential. And it's important she just keeps working, you know, on the right things and goes the right direction.

Q. What particularly impressed you about her today?

DANIELA HANTUCHOVÁ: I thought - well, obviously because she's left-handed, it makes it a bit tougher, but her serve is very good. You know, she was hitting couple of aces a game, and also she was very smart how she was using it. So I think the serve was working very well for her.
            And, you know, I mean, obviously she still has many things to improve, but I think she's on the right way, for sure.

Q. It was a tough situation for her, but potentially a tough situation for you as well, wasn't it?

DANIELA HANTUCHOVÁ: Yeah, definitely. It was so tough. I just tried to, you know, keep focused and think about my game. But obviously, you know, it didn't feel very good being a set down and a couple [of] games down and getting kicked by, you know, a girl 11 years younger than me, so...
            I just tried to make sure that whatever happens, I win this match somehow. <smiling>

Q. Did you think she was going to beat you at one point?

DANIELA HANTUCHOVÁ: No, I never go on the court thinking the other is going to beat you.

Q. During the game?

DANIELA HANTUCHOVÁ: No. I always believe in myself. Yeah, I mean, if I go on the court not believing in myself, I think I shouldn't be there.

Q. I wanted to ask how you felt last night? I mean, she's obviously never played a women's tournament here. Did you feel quite confident? She's only 15.

DANIELA HANTUCHOVÁ: Absolutely not. Actually, last night I was very relaxed. I was thinking more about, you know, first round of a Grand Slam than actually whom I was playing.
            I think, you know, doesn't matter if it's No.1 in the world on the other side or somebody 15 years old. I think I still had to go out there, do my things right and correct, and just focus on my game.
            I've said this many times: with my kind of game I play, I think it's most of the time about me. If I did the right things, I think I can beat anybody. If I play badly, I can lose to anyone.
            I was more concerned about what I was gonna do on the court.

Q. What did you think of the atmosphere of the court?

DANIELA HANTUCHOVÁ: Yeah, it's very nice, actually. I really enjoyed it. Of course, I mean, they told me it's like 4,000 people, but it doesn't feel like that at all.
            Yeah, the atmosphere was very nice. Actually, I thought the crowd was pretty fair. I mean, obviously they were rooting for her, but it was nothing beyond fair play. So, you know, they were very kind.
            I guess, you know, all the years I've played here, you know, I deserved also a little support. It was very nice to play there.

Q. You seemed to be taking a lot of time between points, particularly in the third set. Was that a deliberate tactic?

DANIELA HANTUCHOVÁ: No, I think I do that all the time. If you've seen me, all my matches during my career, you know, some people, they like to play point by point with a fast rhythm. Some people like to take more time.
            Probably because I think so much on the court. Sometimes I have to make my mind clear before I play every point, and I don't want to start before I'm not ready [sic].

Q. How do you think you would have coped with the situation at 15, playing in a match like that?

DANIELA HANTUCHOVÁ: Probably the same. <laughter> You know, you don't have the experience. Sometimes maybe not go for crazy shots at important points, just trying to be patient.
            But it's so tough to think like that when you are that young. You think more about how to hit the shot, that it feels good to be on the court and going for it. Yeah, sometimes you got to be patient, but I think that just comes with age.

Q. What age did you start to feel the pressure?

DANIELA HANTUCHOVÁ: I think once I came up after winning Indian Wells and having that great year. You know, it's always easy to play when nobody knows you. Also, today, it took me a while to get used to her game. I [had] never seen her before.
            So the first year to come up, it's always - it's not easy, of course. It's tough, but then to stay there, that's the tough part.

Q. Was it strange seeing Nigel [Sears] up in the other player's box?

DANIELA HANTUCHOVÁ: I haven't even seen him. He was there?

Q. He was there.

DANIELA HANTUCHOVÁ: No, sorry, I didn't see him.

Q. Have you spoken to him about Laura?

DANIELA HANTUCHOVÁ: No, not at all. I haven't seen him here, so no.

Q. Did you change your coach [to] Larri Passos?

DANIELA HANTUCHOVÁ: Yeah, a while ago.

Q. Why did you choose him?

DANIELA HANTUCHOVÁ: Obviously, he had the experience. He worked with Guga [Gustavo Kuerten]. Brought him to No.1 in the world. There's something he can bring into my game. He's a fighter. He has an upbeat spirit. Very positive person. Very nice to be around him.

Q. How far do you think you can go?

DANIELA HANTUCHOVÁ: Oh, gosh, I just try to take it one match at a time, not to look too ahead of myself, give my best in the next match.
            I think if I play Zheng, it's going to be tough. She made semi-finals here last year. Again, I got to be ready, think of my game, do the right things, and we'll see.

Robson's press-conference

Q. Do you feel more disappointed than pleased with yourself?

LAURA ROBSON: Uhm, yeah. I'm a bit - I'm just a little bit upset, but I'm pretty proud of myself. I mean, I thought I played really, really good for a good part of the match, and then in the end, just a couple things let me down a bit.
            But, yeah, I thought I played a good match.

Q. Were you really sort of going for your second serve today?

LAURA ROBSON: Uhm, I wasn't thinking that I was going for it, but it just wasn't as consistent as it usually is. That probably had something to do with the whole atmosphere, and all the nerves and everything.

Q. You said a couple of things let you down. The serve was one of them, was it?

LAURA ROBSON: Yeah. I mean, I hit a couple more double faults than I would have liked to, especially on the big points. But I'm still pleased with the way I played.

Q. Why do you think you lost the initiative? You were obviously in charge.

LAURA ROBSON: Yeah, a set and a break up. Thanks for rubbing that in. <laughter>

Q. Sorry.

LAURA ROBSON: Yeah, I don't know what happened. But just the game, when I was the break up in the second, I just got really nervous. You know, I made a couple more mistakes than I should have.
            But she started playing more balls in the court, and getting more returns in.

Q. What was going through your mind in the dressing-room beforehand, just about to go out there?

LAURA ROBSON: Nothing really. <smiling> I was kind of thinking about what the towels were going to look like this year. They're really nice. <laughter>
            But before I went on, I was completely fine. I wasn't nervous at all. I was just doing my warmup and everything, feeling pretty good.

Q. To what extent were you annoyed by her delaying-tactics? Seemed to take a lot of time between points the longer the match went on.

LAURA ROBSON: I didn't even really notice it that much. I mean, it didn't annoy me at all. If she was taking too long, the umpire would have said something, so it's not a problem. [Good answer!]

Q. You had to take exams last week. Can you tell us what exams you were taking?

LAURA ROBSON: It wasn't last week. It was the week before. But, anyway.
            Uhm, it was okay. I mean...

Q. Did it have an effect on you?

LAURA ROBSON: No, no.

Q. What exams were you taking?

LAURA ROBSON: I did my English ones. I was supposed to do them in Paris. Then, since I lost early in Paris, I could come home and do them in London, in this big old church.

Q. Do you know what you're doing next year? Are you planning on doing 'A' Levels, or are you going to focus on your tennis?

LAURA ROBSON: I don't know yet. I've still got more GCSEs this year, so...

Q. Can you tell us a bit about the difference playing a match in the main draw, as opposed to last year when you were winning the juniors, and playing in Australia?

LAURA ROBSON: Well, that was my Grand Slam début today, and I played a really good match. So, you know, it's different to juniors, but it's not that much different. I mean, if I would have got killed love and love, then, yeah, I'd be coming in here with a different opinion.
            But I didn't, so it's not too different from the level that I'm already playing.

Q. How much confidence does this give you to defend your junior-title?

LAURA ROBSON: Uhm, well, that's a whole different story, because it's all girls that I've played before, and, you know, I have the pressure from defending my title. So I prefer to think about that next week.

Q. What is the new No.2 court like to play on?

LAURA ROBSON: It was really nice. I was like the first one that got to play on it. It was pretty good.
            It's quite deep. Like when you see it from just outside, it just looks like a normal stadium, but it really goes quite deep. But it's really, really nice, yeah, and the court was really good.
            Because last year, by the time I played matches, it was second week, so the courts aren't as good.

Q. You've been busy lately with your studies and tennis-training. What do you do to relax in your spare time, being 15?

LAURA ROBSON: Uhm, I watch Gossip Girl. But, no, Season 2 is finished out. I'm so depressed. But, yeah, I don't know. I just do normal stuff. <smiling>

Q. Do you get much time to socialise, or can it be quite hard?

LAURA ROBSON: I socialise. <laughter> Yeah, what do you want me to say - I've got no friends? <laughter>

Q. Going back to the match, how did it feel playing in front of 4,000 people? Were you aware of the crowd at all?

LAURA ROBSON: Uhm, well, not really, because, as I got told after the match, my brother, like last year, he had this little saying. During the match he would shout out like, "Mess her up."
            This year, he changed it up to like a woof, like a dog-bark. Completely random. He came up with it yesterday. Apparently he did it quite often, but I didn't hear it. So I just didn't really focus on the crowd.

Q. There's going to be a lot of interest in you in the future. Have you had a lot of sponsors knocking on your door?

LAURA ROBSON: I wouldn't know. Yeah, I'm not the one to ask about that.

Q. You've obviously grown quite a lot this year, haven't you? Do you feel physically stronger as a result of that?

LAURA ROBSON: Yeah. I mean, I can still get stronger and get fitter. Like in that third set, I got a bit tired, so that's another thing we'll work on, like, after these couple [of] weeks.

Q. You work with a Dutch coach. How is it to work with him?

LAURA ROBSON: It's okay, you know. Nothing special. <smiling>
            No, we get along really well. I mean, you have to, because you spend so much time with them. And, yeah, he's got a very sarcastic sense of humour.

Q. Does he?

LAURA ROBSON: Yeah. It took me a while to like figure out when he was joking and not, but now I've got it covered.

Q. In what respect does he make you a better tennis-player?

LAURA ROBSON: Well, he's really smart like on which shots to hit and when, and everything. That's what I struggled with when I started with him. I just kind of banged the ball again and again, like in the same place. I basically always hit it down the line.
            But now, we've really worked on mixing it up. I think that's really helped.

Q. You haven't succumbed to the grunting-phenomenon at all. Have your views changed on that from last year? After you won the juniors, you said you didn't enjoy it very much, didn't like listening to it very much.

LAURA ROBSON: It's such an unattractive sound, isn't it? Yeah, I mean, it's up to the individual whether they want to do it or not, and whether they think it helps.
            But I don't think it helps that much if you're screaming 110 decibels. I don't mind a normal grunt when you hit it, but when you're already grunting before and after you hit the shot, that's just taking it to a different level.

Q. Is it cheating, as Martina Navrátilová suggested?

LAURA ROBSON: I wouldn't call it cheating.

Q. Gamesmanship?

LAURA ROBSON: It's just not the nicest sound to hear when you're trying to focus on hitting your own shot.

Q. Crowds on Henman Hill were watching your first set. Do you think they can come up with a new name for you: Robson Ridge or something?

LAURA ROBSON: It's not really a ridge, is it? <smiling> No, someone will have to come up with a new one. [Robson Green?] At the moment, it's Murray Mound.

Q. Any ideas?

LAURA ROBSON: No. I'll have to think about it, yeah.

Q. Talking of Murray Mound, who is your top tip to win the men's singles?

LAURA ROBSON: It's a tough one now that Nadal's out. Well, I wasn't sure if Nadal was going to win anyway, because he didn't play Queen's and everything, so he didn't have the match-practice that he almost like needs to be able to play really good on grass.
            So, I mean, Andy [Murray] has got a very good chance. But, I mean, he'd have to beat Federer, and Federer's like new level now.

Q. He would be your man now, would he, as it were?

LAURA ROBSON: Yeah, I guess so. But I'm hoping Andy proves me wrong.

Q. In the past, there's been some controversy about the different amounts that are paid to the men's and women's champions. Now it's equal at Wimbledon. Do you think the women should play five sets instead of three?

LAURA ROBSON: I personally wouldn't want to play five sets. So, like, well done to the men for doing that.
            I mean, if you look at the whole calendar, the men are getting more money like in all the other tournaments, the Tier IIs and everything like that. It doesn't really make that much of a difference, to be honest.

Robson's BBC interview

The following excerpt was televised in Today at Wimbledon:

Q. What will you have learned from the whole experience?

LAURA ROBSON: Just things that I need to work on more, and things that can be improved. I mean... I probably could have won, and that's a really good sign for the future. And I had like Nick Bollettieri come up to me after the match and say, you know, "You've gonna have a great future." So I've got all this positive vibes coming at me, so it's really good.

Click here to see a video of the full interview. I must admit she's very charming!

Articles

Battling Robson beaten on début [CEEFAX 490->492]
>>>
British teenager Laura Robson could not mark her senior Wimbledon début with a win, losing to Daniela Hantuchová despite making a stunning start.

Hantuchová - ranked 456 places above Robson - used all her experience in the decider to seal a 3-6 6-4 6-2 victory.
<<<

Robson pleased with début-display [CEEFAX 490->492]
>>>
Britain's Laura Robson was pleased with the way she performed on her senior Wimbledon-début against Daniela Hantuchová, but felt she could have won.

"I could have won, and that's a really good sign for the future."
<<<

Hantuchová praises Robson-display [CEEFAX 492]
>>>
Daniela Hantuchová was impressed by British teenager Laura Robson after recovering from a set down to beat her in the first round at Wimbledon.

"She reminded me a lot of myself at 15, and at some points, I was thinking, 'It's like I'm playing myself.'"
<<<

BRAVE ROBSON OUT IN THREE-SET SCRAP [Teletext 495->496]
>>>
Robson pushes Hantuchová [Teletext 496]

The 26-year-old said: "Obviously she's very talented. It's important she just keeps working on the right things, and goes in the right direction."
<<<

Robson beaten despite strong début (Barry Newcombe, www.wimbledon.org)
>>>
Britain's newest tennis hope, 15-year-old Laura Robson, said she was a "little bit upset" but "pretty proud" after her senior-Wimbledon début, where she took former world number-five Daniela Hantuchová to three sets in an impressive but ultimately unsuccessful display.

"She seems like a very nice girl. It's important now that she has the right people around her. It's still a long way for her to go, but definitely she's got a potential. And it's important she just keeps working, you know, on the right things and goes the right direction.
<<<

Sparkling arena rises from the 'Graveyard' (Helen Gilbert, www.wimbledon.org)
>>>
There is an air of familiarity about the new No.2 Court. Perhaps it is because the court is still located in the southerly part of the grounds. Or it may be that the church steeple can still be viewed poking out above the treetops.

Whether the show court will quickly become a new "Graveyard of Champions" remains to be seen - as no Wimbledon greats have been assigned matches there so far.
<<<

Hantuchová brings down spirited Robson at first hurdle (editing by Miles Evans, Reuters)
>>>
Slovakia's Daniela Hantuchová extinguished 15-year-old schoolgirl Laura Robson's hopes of making it to the second round at Wimbledon with a 3-6 6-4 6-2 victory on Monday.

Hantuchová will play China's 16th seed and semi-finalist last year Zheng,Jie, who snuck past Kristina Barrois of Germany 7-6(2) 7-6(4) for a place in the third round.
<<<

Nerves get to British teenage hopeful Robson (Reuters)
By Kylie MacLellan (editing by Ken Ferris)
>>>
Nerves eventually got the better of 15-year-old Laura Robson on her début in Wimbledon's main draw on Monday, but a strong start and her plucky determination gave British fans a new young hopeful to get behind.

"Obviously, she's got talent," added Hantuchová, who reached the Wimbledon quarter-finals in 2002. "She still has many things to improve, but I think she's on the right way, for sure."
<<<

Battling Robson beaten on début (Chris Bevan, BBC Sport)
>>>
British teenager Laura Robson could not mark her senior Wimbledon-début with a win, losing to Daniela Hantuchová despite making a stunning start.

Hantuchová will play 16th seed Jie Zheng in the second round after she beat unseeded German Kristina Barrois 7-6 (7/2) 7-6 (7/4).
<<<

Robson Falls in Début (www.sonyericssonwtatour.com)
>>>
Today's biggest names were joined by one of the WTA Tour's potential future stars as the first round of The Championships began Monday, with Australian-born Brit Laura Robson playing her first Major match. Although she lost to Daniela Hantuchová, she validated the hype.

Next up for Hantuchová is Zheng,Jie, who made the semi-finals here last year, and holds the No.16 seed this year. Hantuchová won the pair's only previous match, beating the Chinese in straight sets in the early rounds of Indian Wells last year. At the time, though, Hantuchová was ranked No.8 in the world, and Zheng was down at No.216 - now it's No.32 for the Slovak and No.16 for Zheng.
<<<

Laura Robson beaten by Daniela Hantuchová (Oliver Brown, The Daily Telegraph - UK)
>>>
Laura Robson came agonisingly close to a remarkable first-round upset on her full Wimbledon début, the 15-year-old leading Daniela Hantuchová - the former world No.5 from Slovakia - by a set and a break before losing 3-6 6-4 6-2.

An ace from Robson showing that she was not quite ready to give up, the game was nonetheless up on Hantuchová's second attempt with a tame double fault - a sadly meek ending to a precociously resilient display.
<<<

Laura Robson's mum blames GCSEs as young star crashes out of Wimbledon (Caroline Gammell, The Daily Telegraph - UK)
>>>
The mother of British teenage tennis-star Laura Robson blamed the timing of her daughter's GCSE exams yesterday as the young player crashed out of the first round of Wimbledon.

Laura has not seen the last of Wimbledon for this year - she will return next week to defend her junior-championship title.
<<<

Laura Robson looks on the bright side of her early exit (Mark Hodgkinson, The Daily Telegraph - UK)
>>>
You would struggle to find another competitor in the women's draw whose preparations included taking an English GCSE in "a big, old church", and whose pre-match thoughts when sitting in the locker-room concerned what this summer's Wimbledon-towels would look like.

"I'm a little bit upset," she said, "but I'm pretty proud of myself."
<<<

Laura Robson simmers, then boils before running out of steam (Kevin Garside, The Daily Telegraph - UK)
>>>
Perhaps it was a good thing. The end of a thousand lenses is no place for a 15-year-old girl to grow into womanhood, as good as she might be at tennis. Laura Robson can hit a ball, no question. But she cannot escape her teenage station. Not yet at least.

Subsequent setbacks were greeted like a death in the family. Hantuchová fiddled with her racket, slowed the points, controlled the points. Robson simmered, then boiled. Emotionally, she was on the limit. The next career-step, as Bobby Kennedy once said and Hantuchová demonstrated, is not to get mad, but even.
<<<

The Evans Report: Opening Act (Richard Evans, Tennis Week)
>>>
Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova stepped forward with good victories to lend some credibility to the women's game, and two teenagers who will become fixtures here in the coming years - Michelle Larcher de Brito and Laura Robson - met differing fates while still making their mark.

But she wouldn't go so far as to brand it cheating.
<<<

Growing pain: Britain's teenage hope Robson picked off by Hantuchová
By Mike Dickson: Tennis Correspondent (The Daily Mail)
>>>
Britain's last two Wimbledon-champions know a good 'un when they see her, so Ann Jones and Virginia Wade made sure they were at the new Court Two yesterday to watch Laura Robson.

In truth, she could have won this match against a nerve-prone opponent, but you were still left with the impression that this girl will soon be seen far more on the Centre Court than the outside.
<<<

Laura Robson defeated by her GCSEs: Mother blames exams for sinking Briton's Wimbledon-dream (Colin Fernández, The Daily Mail)
>>>
It was the toughest test of her sporting-life so far.

"But obviously, you know, it didn't feel very good being a set down and a couple [of] games down, and getting kicked by a girl 11 years younger than me."
<<<

Laura Robson loses despite making impressive Wimbledon-début (Jeremy Campbell, guardian.co.uk)
>>>
• Laura Robson wins first set in style against world No.32.
• Hantuchová finds form to claim victory 3-6 6-4 6-2.

One more double fault was enough to bring the 15-year-old's début to an inauspicious end. But there was more than a little hope in the appreciative cheers of a near-capacity crowd when she exited Court Two for the first time in a senior Major event.
<<<

Laura Robson's future is bright despite defeat at Wimbledon, says Tracy Austin (Simon Cambers, guardian.co.uk)
>>>
• Tracy Austin praises 15-year-old Laura Robson after defeat.
• "She should be ecstatic taking Hantuchová to three sets."

"I don't think she's ever going to be a terrific mover," Austin said. "It's not that she's just young. I don't think that helps the process, but I don't think she is ever going to be as speedy around the court as a [Jelena] Jankovic. That's just something she is going to have to contend with in her career. Because of that, it's more important that her serve and her forehand are her weapons, so that she gets on top of the point at the beginning."
<<<

Losing début for fans' new plucky British heroine, Laura Robson (Owen Gibson and Peter Walker, guardian.co.uk)
>>>
For much of the first hour of their match, it was impossible to tell who was the 15-year-old GCSE student playing in her first Major, and who was the former world number-five.

The volume on the new Court Two - opened by the Duke of Kent as part of a Ł100m overhaul of the venue - grew louder as the chances of a Robson-victory increased.
<<<

Laura Robson gives glimpse of a stellar future (Steve Bierley, The Guardian)
>>>
• Tennis-world expecting her to follow Murray's path.
• Senior level not that different to juniors, says Robson.

And so she should be.
<<<

Laura Robson proves she will belong at the top table of women's tennis (guardian.co.uk)
>>>
The great and the good arrived to see Laura Robson - well, the hierarchy of the LTA and the former British Wimbledon-champions Virginia Wade and Ann Jones - and mightily impressed they must have been. Yes, she lost, but there was no shame in that. This was her first match at Major level, and against an opponent ranked 456 places higher.

Robson began to fret a little, as was to be expected, and the double faults continued. But there was no doubting the pedigree of her play. Essentially, she is still a junior. Give her another year or two, and there seems little doubt - providing she remains focused and fit - that she will be challenging for a place at the top table of the women's game.
<<<

My preview

Daniela beat Zheng,Jie 6-4 6-2 in their only meeting: in the third round of Indian Wells 2008.

But Indian Wells is Daniela's best tournament, whereas Wimbledon is probably Zheng's best: she reached the semi-finals here last year. But now, by her own admission, she feels the pressure to defend that result.

Zheng is dangerous on grass as she hits the ball early and flat, so it bounces low on grass, which is especially effective against tall girls. She has precise, intelligent placement on her groundstrokes: she knows how to jerk her opponents around.

Zheng is 20:14 for 2009 so far (including her first-round win here).

She reached the fourth round of the Australian Open by beating #59 Kateryna Bondarenko 6-2 6-2, but retired at 1-4 against #8 Svetlana Kuznetsova with a left-wrist sprain.

Zheng reached the third round of Dubai, beating #42 Samantha Stosur 3-6 7-5 7-5, but losing 6-4 6-2 to #1 Serena Williams.

She reached the semi-finals of Monterrey by beating #36 Gisela Dulko 6-3 6-2, but lost 7-5 6-3 to #13 Marion Bartoli.

Zheng reached the fourth round of Miami with a 6-4 6-0 win over #14 Alizé Cornet, and lost 7-5 5-7 6-3 to #1 Serena Williams.

Zheng's clay-court results were relatively modest, with a third round at Rome, and second rounds at Madrid, Warsaw and the French Open - losing 6-4 6-3 to #132 Michelle Larcher de Brito.

At Birmingham, Zheng was the top seed, but after thrashing #122 Melanie South 6-3 6-1, she lost 7-6 (12/10) 6-4 to the eventual champion: #58 Magdaléna Rybáriková.

At Eastbourne, Zheng beat #34 Carla Suárez Navarro 6-2 6-2, but lost 7-6 6-3 to Aleksandra Wozniak.

She has reached the second round here by beating Kristina Barrois 7-6 (7/2) 7-6 (7/4).

Conclusion: Zheng is a tough opponent, especially on grass, but she's not on particularly strong form at the moment, so it should be quite a winnable match for Daniela.

Wimbledon: Day 3 Preview (www.sonyericssonwtatour.com)
>>>
Court 3:
Zheng,Jie (CHN)[16] vs. Daniela Hantuchová (SVK)
Hantuchová leads 1:0

As top seed at Birmingham, she fell early to eventual champion Magdaléna Rybáriková, and was beaten by Aleksandra Wozniak in the second round at Eastbourne. No matter - this promises to be an attractive all-court tussle.
<<<

My TV-report

+ Daniela Hantuchová [EF] d. ZHENG,JIE [16], 6-3 7-5

A pleasing win over last year's semi-finalist, and I got to watch it on BBC Red Button until 6-3 1-1*, when the bustards who control it decided that some men's match was more important. :fiery:

Daniela made a slow start to go *0-2 down, not moving or hitting the ball particularly well. She's a tall girl, and it takes a while for everything to start flowing in the right direction.

Zheng was moving well and taking the ball early, and she consolidated her break to lead 3-1*.

But Daniela won the last five games of the first set. Her good serve set up forehand winners; she also found some great depth on her groundstrokes, which induced Zheng to make semi-forced errors.

Daniela squandered four break-back points at 2-3*, but saved Zheng's game-point with a backhand return-winner down the line, and her deep, error-inducing groundstrokes saw her earn and convert a fifth break-point to make it 3-3*.

Daniela held for 4-3* with the help of a serve + forehand winner, then Zheng made four unforced errors to give her *5-3.

Serving for the first set, Daniela started with a very confident crosscourt backhand winner, but had to recover from 15/30. A body-jamming service-winner gave her set-point (40/30), and she converted it with a serve + crosscourt forehand winner.

Daniela broke for *2-1 in the second set, but was broken back for 4-4*. She broke again immediately, but had to serve for the match twice: at *5-4 and *6-5 after four breaks in a row.

The BBC also showed Daniela's match-point: she sealed victory with a splendid spreading rally: crosscourt backhand + down-the-line backhand + forehand drop-volley winner.

Prematch routine

The match was first on Court 3 - formerly known as Court 2: "The Graveyard of Champions". There's a new Court 2 this year, and Wimbledon is going to rebuild this one for 2011: it was bulldozed in August 2009.

Zheng arrived early to a mute reception, and Daniela arrived a couple of minutes late, to huge applause. Evidently she's still very popular here, despite having broken a few British hearts by putting Laura Robson out in the first round.

Daniela's new coach Larri Passos was in the stands.

First set

HANTU   * *@*@* 6
ZHENG @* *      3

The match started at 12:14 BST.

Daniela serving 0-0: Daniela opened up the court with a first serve out wide, but hit a crosscourt backhand just long. 0/15. Zheng hit a deep crosscourt backhand return to force a short forehand from Daniela, which Zheng dispatched with an off-forehand winner. 0/30. First serve out wide: Zheng hit a crosscourt forehand return-winner just inside the sideline. Liz Smylie: "There's that short backswing I was talking about." 0/40 (BP #1). Deep first serve down the middle forced Zheng to hit a forehand return long. 15/40 (BP #2). Double fault (second serve into the net).

A slow start for Daniela.

Liz Smylie: "The Chinese player uses all the pace off the serve, and it's back at you very quickly. Hantuchová is a tall girl, she's got long limbs, and it takes her a while for everything to get going in the right direction."

David Mercer described Zheng as "a busy player", and said of Daniela: "Looks a lot healthier than three or four years ago, when there was a lot of talk about her suffering from anorexia [not verified]. Isn't carrying any excess weight at all, but just looks much healthier now - more muscle-tone."

Zheng serving 1-0: Zheng netted a forehand. 0/15. First serve down the middle + crosscourt backhand winner back behind Daniela. 15/15. Daniela went to the net, hit an inadequate dropshot and retreated, giving Zheng an easy forehand winner down the line. 30/15. Daniela opened up the court with a crosscourt forehand, but netted a backhand. 40/15. First serve down the middle: Daniela mishit an off-backhand return just wide.

Liz Smylie described Zheng as "a very tidy player: good speed around the court, compact backswing, no fuss. A very different opponent for Daniela Hantuchová today. I think when she played Laura Robson in the first round, there was always going to be that possibility of nerves, and I don't think she's going to find that from her Chinese opponent today: very tough competitor, very focused - a seasoned campaigner."

So far, Zheng is moving well and taking the ball early, whereas Daniela looks slow, and isn't hitting the ball particularly well yet.

Daniela serving 0-2: Second serve: a deep forehand return down the middle induced Daniela to hit an off-forehand just wide. 0/15. First serve down the middle: forehand return just long. 15/15. Zheng exposed Daniela's lack of movement with an early crosscourt backhand winner. 15/30. Second serve: Zheng netted a cheap forehand return, and emitted a cute little squeak of "ah!" 30/30. Daniela opened up the court with a first serve out wide, went to the net behind a down-the-line forehand, and hit a delectable off-backhand drop-volley winner that skimmed to Daniela's left like a stone over water. 40/30. First serve down the middle + deep crosscourt backhand onto the baseline forced Zheng to balloon an off-backhand half-volley very wide.

Zheng serving 2-1: First serve: Daniela hit a crosscourt forehand return + pinpoint forehand winner down the line. David Mercer: "That's much better from Hantuchová. This time it's she who is up the court, dictating. It's almost as if she got here late and didn't realise she was playing first match, 'cause she was late on court, very slow start those first two games. Perhaps the alarm didn't go off." 0/15. A mildly awkward crosscourt backhand from Zheng induced Daniela to net a backhand on the fourth stroke. 15/15. Deep first serve out wide: Daniela sprayed a wild off-forehand return wide. 30/15. Daniela spread Zheng with a crosscourt backhand return + off-backhand down the line; she tried to go to the net, but got caught in no-man's-land by Zheng's down-the-line forehand pass-winner. 40/15. Daniela's forehand clipped the netcord and dropped dead for a winner. Daniela gave Zheng a "heartfelt apology". 40/30. Daniela went to the net behind a sliced backhand crosscourt, but Zheng's awkward short mishit crosscourt backhand pass induced Daniela to net a backhand volley - she didn't close in well enough to the net.

David Mercer: "And that point illustrated one of the major reasons why Zheng is ranked higher than Hantuchová: so much better, that movement around the court."

Daniela serving 1-3: First serve out wide, but Zheng anticipated it, and used the pace for a crosscourt forehand return-winner. 0/15. First serve out wide: Zheng netted a backhand return. 15/15. First serve down the middle + crosscourt forehand winner into the corner. Liz Smylie: "When she has the time, Hantuchová [is] a very clean hitter of the ball: very flat on both sides." 30/15. First serve out wide forced a short return, which Daniela dispatched with an early off-forehand winner. 40/15. Daniela's deep forehand induced Zheng to hit a forehand just long on the fourth stroke.

David Mercer: "When she beat Martina Hingis in the final of Indian Wells to win her first title way back in 2002, you thought, 'Gosh, this is a great young star.' But the nerves have let her down, and she always hits the ball very flat - and on a bad day, loses control of the groundstrokes."
Liz Smylie: "Yes: there's not much margin for error over that net."

Zheng serving 3-2: Zheng's crosscourt forehand induced Daniela to net a forehand on the fourth stroke. 15/0. Double fault #1 (second serve very long). 15/15. First serve out wide: Daniela hit a deep forehand return down the middle, forcing Zheng to hit an off-forehand wide. 15/30. First serve down the middle: Daniela hit a deep forehand return just inside the baseline, forcing Zheng to hit a forehand long. 15/40 (BP #1). First serve down the middle: Daniela off-backhand return just wide - unlucky. David Mercer: "These have always been the problem for Hantuchová over the years - the big points." 30/40 (BP #2). Careful 80mph first serve out wide: Daniela dumped a backhand return into the net. Deuce #1. First serve: Daniela's deep body-jamming off-backhand return induced Zheng to hit a forehand long. Ad Daniela (BP #3). Zheng hit a penetrating off-forehand; Daniela hit a deep sliced backhand just inside the baseline; Zheng saved the BP with an off-forehand winner back behind Daniela. Deuce #2. Daniela punished a short 88mph first serve with a crosscourt forehand return-winner. Ad Daniela (BP #4). First serve out wide + backhand down the line induced Daniela to hit a running crosscourt forehand wide. Deuce #3. Daniela hit a very high backhand dropshot, which Zheng dispatched with an easy forehand pass-winner down the line. Ad Zheng. First serve out wide: Daniela hit a clean backhand return-winner down the line. Deuce #4. Daniela spread Zheng with a down-the-line backhand + down-the-line forehand, inducing Zheng to net a backhand. Ad Daniela (BP #5). Another slow first serve: Daniela's deep backhand return induced Zheng to spray a crosscourt backhand wide.

Daniela's back to her old habit of squandering break-points, but at least she did get the break back in the end. And she deserves credit for reaching all those break-points.

Daniela's found the depth on her groundstrokes a bit more now than at the start, errors are creeping into Zheng's game, and she hit some very tentative first serves in that game!

Daniela serving 3-3: Second serve: Zheng sprayed a forehand return wide. 15/0. Zheng hit a short-angled crosscourt forehand onto the sideline, inducing Daniela to hit a forehand long. 15/15. First serve out wide + deep forehand winner down the line. 30/15. First serve down the middle + deep crosscourt forehand induced Zheng to hit a forehand long. 40/15. First serve out wide + deep crosscourt forehand induced Zheng to hit a forehand long.

I'm using the word "induced" a lot at the moment. I mean that the depth of Daniela's groundstrokes is causing Zheng to make semi-forced errors.

Zheng serving 3-4: Zheng backhand just long. 0/15. Double fault (second serve clipped the netcord and fell back on Zheng's side). 0/30. Zheng hit a couple of deep groundstrokes of her own, but then netted a backhand. 0/40 (BP #1). Second serve: Daniela's penetrating down-the-line backhand return forced Zheng to chop back a short, weak forehand that sat up nicely for Daniela to... net a forehand. 15/40 (BP #2). Zheng netted a forehand on the third stroke.

Two break-points, two unforced errors - one by each player.

David Mercer: "It's surprising, because although certainly Hantuchová has raised her game since that slow start, also quite a few unforced errors creeping into the game of Zheng,Jie."

Daniela serving 5-3: First serve down the middle forced a short return; Daniela pounced on it with a crosscourt backhand winner. David Mercer: "Starting to play with a lot more confidence, which is a such a vital thing for her." 15/0. Zheng hit a very short dropshot from the behind the baseline, forcing Daniela to net a forehand despite a nice run. David Mercer: "Good tactic against Hantuchová: make her move. It takes a while to get the long legs pumping." 15/15. Daniela hit a backhand dropshot onto the sideline, which was called wide but overruled by the umpire, so they had to replay the point. First serve out wide: Zheng took the initiative with an early, deep crosscourt forehand return to force a short ball from Daniela, which Zheng dispatched with a wrong-footing crosscourt backhand winner - just waited that Sharapova-esque split second to get Daniela leaning the wrong way. 15/30. First serve out wide: Zheng netted a backhand return. 30/30. Deep, body-jamming first serve: Zheng bunted a one-handed backhand return long. 40/30 (SP #1). First serve out wide - on the service-line - forced Zheng to block back a defensive forehand return that sat up nicely for Daniela to rip a crosscourt forehand winner quite close to the sideline. Daniela won the first set 6-3 at 12:52 BST (38m).

Daniela is hitting the ball with confidence now - especially at set-point! From *1-3 down, she has won five games in a row.

David Mercer: "When she is confident, when she is on a roll, she really does play well."
Liz Smylie: "She absolutely does. Her court-coverage can be good when she's confident. She has long arms, so she has good reach. She extends well up into the serve. So when it all looks like it's going well, then she's actually a very pleasant player to watch, Daniela Hantuchová."

Second set

HANTU  *@* *  @ @* 7
ZHENG *   * *@ @   5

Zheng serving 0-0: Daniela punished a very short 73mph second serve with a crosscourt forehand return-winner. 0/15. Zheng's deep crosscourt forehand induced Daniela to mishit a forehand lob wide. 15/15. First serve down the middle: Daniela mishit an off-backhand return wide. 30/15. Double fault #3 (second serve just long). 30/30. Body-jamming second serve + crosscourt backhand winner just inside the sideline. Liz Smylie: "Hantuchová really could have done a little bit more with it." 40/30. Deep second serve: Daniela netted a cheap forehand return.

Daniela serving 0-1: Deep first serve out wide (right in the corner); Zheng hit a deep crosscourt forehand return just inside the baseline; Daniela hit a pinpoint forehand down the line, forcing Zheng to net a backhand. 15/0. Daniela hit a wrong-footing off-backhand winner just inside the sideline. 30/0. Daniela went to the net behind a crosscourt backhand, but Zheng's crosscourt backhand pass forced Daniela to stretch wide and hit an awkward high backhand volley that landed short and sat up nicely for Zheng to hit a crosscourt forehand pass-winner. Liz Smylie: "That's about the third or fourth volley we've seen Hantuchová hit like that. It's almost like when she comes to the net, the first instinct isn't to keep closing and hit down on the volley; she's always looking to hit that volley that has no pace on it - and of course, if you know that shot's coming, and you start running early enough, you've got a pretty good chance of making it." 30/15. First serve out wide - deep in the corner - but Zheng's crosscourt backhand return forced Daniela to hit a short down-the-line backhand moonball just wide. 30/30. First serve out wide forced Zheng to mishit a forehand lob-return that landed behind her own baseline. 40/30. Deep first serve down the middle forced Zheng to mishit a crosscourt forehand lob-return wide - and behind her for the second point in a row!

David Mercer: "Experience has taught me never to regard a match over - not with Daniela Hantuchová."

Now that Centre Court and Court One are starting, the bustards in charge of BBC Red Button have decided to show Đokovic v Greul on Court One now instead! :fiery:

So I'm now going to watch Maria Sharapova v Gisela Dulko live on Centre Court, whilst following live scores for this match. I'll try to do it point by point, but please forgive me for the inevitable gaps.

Zheng serving 1-1: 0/40 (BPx3). Deuce. Ad Daniela (BP #4). Broken.

More break-points squandered, but Daniela is generating so many that it hasn't mattered so far, and now she's up a set and a break! :-)

Daniela serving 2-1: 15/15. 30/15. 30/30. 40/30. Held.
Zheng serving 1-3: 40/0. Held.
Daniela serving 3-2: 15/15. 15/40 (BPx2). Deuce. Ad Daniela. Held.

Zheng's turn to squander break-points!

Zheng serving 2-4: 40/0. Held.
Daniela serving 4-3: 15/0. 15/15. 30/15. 30/30. 40/30. Deuce. Ad Zheng (BP). Broken.

No longer a set and a break up. :-(

Daniela serving 6-5: 15/0. 15/30. 40/30 (MP #1). Deuce #1. Ad Zheng (BP). Deuce #2. I saw this point in a BBC 1 round-up, with the cameras on Zheng: she ran down a dropshot and hit a forehand, only to watch Daniela's pass-winner go past her backhand. Ad Daniela (MP #2). BBC 1 joined the cameras on Court 3 properly: Daniela's deep first serve forced Zheng to hit a short forehand lob; Daniela hit a searing crosscourt backhand deep into the corner, forcing Zheng to hit a short crosscourt backhand; Daniela went to the net behind an off-backhand down the line; Zheng hit a crosscourt forehand on the run, but Daniela easily picked it off with a delectable forehand drop-volley winner. Daniela won 6-3 7-5 at 13:54 (second set 1h02m, match 1h40m). She celebrated with a few fist-pumps and a big smile.

Statistics

In points, Daniela won 71-63 (first set 32-25, second set 39-38).

They each hit 21 winners, but Daniela made 20 unforced errors to Zheng's 16 (Daniela had a W:UE ratio of 11:5 for the first set, but only 10:15 for the second). Thus the match was decided by the forced errors: Daniela forced Zheng into 34 errors; Zheng forced Daniela into 22.

Daniela got 74% of her first serves in, winning 62% of the points when she did so, and 44% on second serve. However, these percentages deteriorated from (78%, 67% and 50%) in the first set to (72%, 58% and 42%) for the second.

Zheng got 67% of her first serves in, winning 58% of the points when she did so, and 38% on second serve. From the first set to the second, her first-serve winning-percentage improved from 50% to 65%, but her second-serve winning-percentage deteriorated from 50% to 27%.

Daniela served much faster than Zheng on average: first serve 97-85 mph, second serve 83-75 mph. Daniela's fastest serve was only slightly faster than Zheng's: 104-103 mph.

In a match with no aces by either player, Daniela served three double faults to Zheng's four.

Daniela broke 5 times from 16 BPs, which is rather wasteful, but she got away with it as Zheng only broke 3 times from 7 BPs. Clearly, then, the number of BPs generated was more important than the conversion-rate. Daniela won the first set by two breaks to one, and the second by three breaks to two.

Daniela won 13 of 21 points at the net (62%), while Zheng was more selective for a higher success-rate, winning 9 of 13 points at the net (69%). Which is the better statistic?
            To carve it up another way: Daniela went to the net on 18% of the points that she won in the match, while Zheng went to the net on 14% of the points that she won in the match. They each went to the net on 6% of the points that they lost in the match. Thus, it would seem that Daniela got the better pay-off by going to the net as much as she did, while Zheng should probably have gone there more often.
            Daniela only won 6 of 12 points at the net in the first set (50%), but was more selective and successful in the second: 7 of 9 (78%). Zheng did the opposite: she won 4 of 5 points at the net in the first set (80%), but only 5 of 8 in the second (63%).

I always like to summarise with a profound observation, so here goes: the second set was much closer than the first.

Articles

Hantuchová too strong for Zheng (Barry Newcombe, www.wimbledon.org)
>>>
Zheng,Jie, who was a semi-finalist at Wimbledon last year, failed to repeat that impressive form against Daniela Hantuchová of Slovakia, losing in straight sets.

But, on her second chance, Hantuchová's volley-winner ended the match in her favour, and her wide smiles showed how she felt about it.
<<<

Zheng upset by Hantuchová at Wimbledon (AP)
>>>
Last year's semi-finalist Zheng,Jie of China has been eliminated in the second round at Wimbledon, losing 6-3 7-5 to Daniela Hantuchová of Slovakia.

She pushed Hantuchová hard in the second set as the pair traded breaks, then saved a match-point before the Slovak wrapped it up with a deft forehand volley.
<<<

Expectations prove too much for China's Zheng (Reuters)
By Kylie MacLellan (editing by Ken Ferris)
>>>
The expectations of a nation weighed too heavily on the shoulders of last year's surprise Wimbledon semi-finalist Zheng,Jie of China, who went out in the second round to Daniela Hantuchová on Wednesday.

Serving for the match, the Slovakian - who knocked out British teenage hopeful Laura Robson in the first round - missed several chances to finish the match as Zheng battled to the end. But with a final burst of energy, Hantuchová eventually secured her third-round place.
<<<

Sharapova crashes out of Wimbledon (AFP)
>>>
Zheng,Jie - the 16th seed and a semi-finalist here last year - also went out, beaten 6-3 7-5 by Slovakia's Daniela Hantuchová.

The Slovakian star will now face Japanese number-one Ai Sugiyama, who had a 7-6 (7/5) 6-3 victory over Spanish qualifier Arantxa Parra Santonja.
<<<

Superb Serena powers past Groth (BBC Sport)
>>>
China's Zheng,Jie - a semi-finalist in last year's Wimbledon - was denied another memorable run this year, beaten 6-3 7-5 by Laura Robson's round-one conqueror: Slovakian Daniela Hantuchová.

Hantuchová now faces a third-round clash with Japan's Ai Sugiyama, who had earlier beaten Spanish qualifier Arantxa Parra Santonja 7-6 (7/5) 6-3.
<<<

Daniela Hantuchová breaks Chinese hearts with win over Zheng,Zie (Andrew Baker, The Daily Telegraph - UK)
>>>
Wimbledon's international television-audience was dealt a savage blow on Wednesday afternoon, when Zheng,Jie - the darling of millions of Chinese fans - was ejected from the ladies' singles tournament by Daniela Hantuchová.

"Daniela played a very good match, particularly mentally," said her coach Larri Passos. "For the coach, mentality is the most important."
<<<

My preview

33-year-old Ai Sugiyama has been Daniela's most regular doubles-partner in the last four years. Together, they have won Birmingham 2005, Doha and Rome 2006, and been runner-up at two Majors: French Open 2006 and Australian Open 2009. Sugiyama has been Daniela's only doubles-partner outside Fed Cup this year, and they are considered genuine contenders for the Wimbledon Women's Doubles title!

When doubles-partners have to play each other in singles, the lower-ranked player often prevails, because she has inside information about her partner, and it's also tough emotionally to play your partner.

Sugiyama has been the lower-ranked player in all their singles-matches against each other except in 2004, is currently lower ranked at #38 than Daniela's #32, and leads their head to head 6:4:
- 2002 San Diego 2r: Sugiyama 6-4 1-6 7-5
+ 2004 Eastbourne qf: Daniela 6-1 7-6
- 2004 Montréal 2r: Sugiyama 1-6 6-4 6-4
> - 2004 Linz 2r: Sugiyama 6-2 6-1
- 2005 San Diego 2r: Sugiyama 7-5 4-6 6-2 + 2005 Zürich 1r: Daniela 1-6 7-5 6-4
+ 2006 Zürich 2r: Daniela 7-6 6-2
- 2008 Miami 3r: Sugiyama 6-4 6-7 7-5
- 2008 Stanford 2r: Sugiyama 6-3 6-1
+ 2008 Beijing Olympics 1r: Daniela 6-2 7-5

Sugiyama is a plucky counterpuncher; playing her is often like pulling teeth.

Sugiyama has been a tough opponent at Wimbledon even for top players over the years. In 1996, she beat #5 Anke Huber 7-6 6-1 to reach the fourth round (which she also reached in 2003). In 2002, she gave #4 Monica Seles a tough match before losing 4-6 6-1 6-4. In the 2004 quarter-finals, she gave eventual champion Maria Sharapova a mind-bogglingly difficult two sets before losing 5-7 7-5 6-1. In 2006, she beat former champion Martina Hingis 7-5 3-6 6-4.

The good news for Daniela-fans is that Sugiyama has a terrible 6:13 win/loss record for 2009 so far (including her two wins here). Her only four wins this year prior to Wimbledon came in January.

At Sydney, she beat #65 Jill Craybas 6-2 6-3 and #23 Anabel Medina Garrigues 2-6 6-1 6-2, then received a walkover from Svetlana Kuznetsova to reach the semi-finals, where she lost 6-4 7-6 to #3 Dinara Safina.

At the Australian Open, she beat #128 Stéphanie Dubois 6-0 7-6 and #69 Nathalie Dechy 1-6 6-1 6-3 to reach the third round, where she lost 6-4 6-4 to #1 Jelena Jankovic.

That started an 11-match losing-streak: up to and including her 6-7 7-5 6-4 loss to #52 Vera Dushevina at Eastbourne.

But Sugiyama has reached the third round of Wimbledon with the following results:
1r + PATTY SCHNYDER [21], 6-4 6-4
2r + Arantxa Parra Santonja [Q,S], 7-6 (7/5) 6-3

Daniela's path to the third round:
1r + Laura Robson [WC], 3-6 6-4 6-2
2r + ZHENG,JIE [16], 6-3 7-5

Given Sugiyama's form this year, I have to fancy Daniela's chances (and Daniela herself, of course ;)), but it would be dangerous to underestimate Sugiyama with all her experience and her 6:4 head-to-head over Daniela.

Prematch articles

Sugi Still Going Strong (www.sonyericssonwtatour.com)
>>>
While the megastars of the WTA Tour were battling it out on the main courts on Wednesday, one of its quieter champions was keeping the dream alive in her amazing 61st straight Major main draw: the most among any player - male or female - in the history of professional tennis.

Sugiyama has played 62 Major main draws in total - one lone appearance coming before she went on her current streak of 61. Only three women have ever played more overall Major main draws: Amy Frazier (71), Martina Navrátilová (67) and Conchita Martínez (64).
<<<

Wimbledon: Day 5 Preview (www.sonyericssonwtatour.com)
>>>
Court 18:
Daniela Hantuchová (SVK) vs. Ai Sugiyama (JPN)
Sugiyama leads 6:4

Before that, whoever wins this match will probably face Serena Williams in the fourth round.
<<<

My TV-report

+ Daniela Hantuchová [EF] d. Ai Sugiyama, 6-4 6-3

I watched this match on BBC Red Button until 6-4 1-0*, when the show-courts got underway and it was no longer available on Freeview.

It was the best performance I've seen from Daniela so far this Wimbledon. It's so wonderful to watch Daniela hitting her groundstrokes with flairsome power, and playing great spreading rallies.

Daniela recovered from another *0-2 start (just as she did against Zheng,Jie in the previous round) - not so much a slow start by Daniela as an excellent one by Sugiyama.

At *0-2, Daniela started to spread Sugiyama, opening up the court, forcing floaters, and going to the net to hit volley-winners. Even so, she had to save a break-point to avoid going 0-3* down, but it was an excellent hold for 1-2* in the end.

The next four games went with serve, as Daniela's good form continued in her own service-games, but with a bit of moisture on the grass, she couldn't put much pressure on Sugiyama's.

One of Daniela's best points came at *1-3 (30/15), when she drew Sugiyama to the net with a lob, and hit a perfect backhand lob-winner onto the baseline!

At 3-4*, Daniela finally broke back. She played a wonderful point at the net with a forehand drop-volley winner, sandwiched between two Sugiyama errors to give her three break-points at 0/40. Sugiyama saved the first two with a forehand volley-winner and an off-forehand winner just inside the sideline, but Daniela converted the third break-point as her depth forced Sugiyama to net a forehand.

Daniela recovered from *4-4 (0/30) with a crosscourt forehand winner, and held with a one-two punch: serve out wide + backhand winner down the line.

At 5-4*, Daniela broke to win the first set. A couple of hard, deep forehands forced Sugiyama into errors, and an unforced error gave Daniela two set-points at 15/40. Sugiyama saved the first with a first serve out wide + off-forehand winner, but Daniela converted the second when Sugiyama hit a backhand long.

Daniela held for 6-4 1-0* with the help of a backhand winner down the line and an off-backhand winner. She broke for *2-0, but was broken back immediately, despite saving two break-points.

Daniela squandered three break-points at 2-1* (40/0*) before Sugiyama held for 2-2. Daniela held to 15 and broke to love for *4-2, then almost blew a 40/0 lead as she had to save a break-point in a game of four deuces before holding for 5-2*.

Sugiyama held to 15, but Daniela at *5-3 managed to serve out the match: she needed three nonconsecutive match-points. The BBC showed the last point: a deep first serve down the middle induced Sugiyama to hit a forehand return just long.

Daniela: "It's never a nice feeling having to play Sugi, because she's one of my best friends. She's a great person, so winning or losing, I knew always it was going to be a strange feeling for me. So I just tried to take it as another match, and not to think that she was on the other side."

I find it amusing that BBC presenter Sue Barker can't mention Daniela without adding "who put out Laura Robson".

Then came the sad news that Daniela was feeling unwell and had gone home. It was later confirmed that she was suffering from 'flu (hopefully not of the swine-variety) and had gone to see a doctor, but at least she has until Monday to recover...

Daniela: "I've been fighting a 'flu for the last few days. Before, [it] was more, you know, inside. Now it's coming out to the voice."

Prematch routine

The match was first on Court 18. Daniela and Sugiyama walked onto court together at 12:02 BST.

Liz Smylie: "Sugiyama's game's very well suited to grass. She's small; she gets around the court very well. Her swings at the ball off the backhand and the forehand are really quite compact. So, so, so solid. She more than often plays the right shot at the right time, Sugiyama. One of those players that you really have to beat - she doesn't give away too much.
            "Hantuchová does get tight. She hits the ball very flat. When she looks good, she looks great, and when things aren't going well, she looks awful."
Louise Pleming: "Doesn't play with a lot of margin."

The match started at 12:11 BST.

First set

HANTUCHO   * * *@*@ 6
SUGIYAMA @* * *     4

Daniela serving 0-0: First serve: Sugiyama hit a deep forehand return down the line to force a floater from Daniela; Sugiyama went to the net and hit a crosscourt forehand drive-volley + forehand punch-volley winner down the line - I've seen her excellent volleys in doubles, but she doesn't tend to use them in singles. 0/15. Daniela took the initiative with a deep off-forehand just inside the baseline to force a short backhand from Sugiyama; Daniela hit a pretty good backhand dropshot, but Sugiyama it ran down impressively; however, it left Sugiyama stranded in the tramlines, allowing Daniela to bunt an easy forehand half-volley pass-winner down the line. 15/15. Second serve: Sugiyama's off-backhand return + crosscourt backhand stretched Daniela wide, inducing her to net a backhand. 15/30. Second serve: Sugiyama hit an off-forehand return onto the sideline, forcing Daniela to earth a backhand. 15/40 (BP #1). Deep first serve out wide induced Sugiyama to hit a forehand return long. 30/40 (BP #2). Off a mid-court return, Daniela hit a crosscourt backhand just wide, giving Sugiyama an immediate break.

An excellent start by Sugiyama, but Daniela's slow start and subsequent recovery against Zheng,Jie in the previous round gives me confidence - especially when I consider that Sugiyama is 33 years old. Unless Sugiyama can win quickly, Daniela should have the physical edge.

Louise Pleming: "She just does all the basics very well, Ai Sugiyama. Always looks to try to make that first return, tries to get a high percentage of first serves in. Doesn't have a big game, but by putting a lot of balls in court, builds that accumulative pressure over time throughout the match."

Sugiyama serving 1-0: First serve: Daniela hit a backhand return very long, and changed her racket. Liz Smylie: "The weather-conditions can affect the tension in the strings. Just wants a little bit more out of the racket today." 15/0. After a longish baseline-rally, Daniela hit a deep forehand onto the baseline to force a short, weak backhand from Sugiyama; Daniela dispatched it with a crosscourt forehand winner of flairsome power. 15/15. Another longish baseline-rally ended with Daniela hitting a backhand just long. 30/15. Daniela, driven into the tramlines, hit a delectable backhand dropshot-winner onto Sugiyama's forehand-sideline - run as she might, Sugiyama just couldn't get her racket on it. 30/30. First serve out wide forced Daniela to stretch wide and low, and hit a sharp down-the-line forehand return wide. 40/30. Second serve: Daniela hit a hard, deep forehand return, but Sugiyama blocked back a forehand half-volley onto the baseline; then Sugiyama's mildly awkward crosscourt backhand induced Daniela to spray a wild off-backhand wide.

Louise Pleming: "There's a little bit of moisture on the grass this morning."

Daniela serving 0-2: Daniela down-the-line backhand just wide. 0/15. Daniela played a lovely spreading rally: deep crosscourt forehand to the sideline + short-angled crosscourt backhand halfway up the other sideline + backhand dropshot down the line; Sugiyama ran it down and hit a crosscourt forehand pass, but Daniela stretched wide and cut it off with a forehand volley-winner into the wide-open court. Liz Smylie: "Tidy point from Hantuchová: there's the dropshot: Sugiyama gets to this one, but just can't get it far enough away from the long limbs of Daniela Hantuchová." 15/15. Sugiyama's deep forehand return forced Daniela to bunt back a short, weak crosscourt backhand that almost qualified as a dropshot; Sugiyama ran it down easily and hit a crosscourt backhand winner plumb on the baseline. 15/30. Daniela spread Sugiyama with a crosscourt backhand + crosscourt forehand to force a short ball; Daniela hit an off-forehand onto the sideline to force a floater, which she dispatched with a crosscourt forehand smash-winner. 30/30. Double fault (second serve into the net). 30/40 (BP). First serve down the middle forced Sugiyama to hit an off-forehand return wide - well saved. Deuce #1. First serve out wide: Sugiyama netted a makeable forehand return. Ad Daniela. First serve down the middle + hard, deep crosscourt forehand forced a defensive forehand lob from Sugiyama; Daniela maintained her initiative with a short-angled off-forehand to force a short crosscourt backhand from Sugiyama, but the angle was rather sharp, and induced Daniela to hit an off-backhand dropshot just wide. Deuce #2. First serve: Sugiyama's deep forehand return forced Daniela to hit a rather slow backhand down the middle; Sugiyama attacked it with a deep off-backhand just inside the baseline to force a short, defensive forehand lob from Daniela, but Sugiyama dumped a backhand into the net - she just couldn't handle the lack of pace. Ad Daniela. A longish baseline-rally ended with Sugiyama unforcedly dumping a backhand halfway up the net.

Excellent hold by Daniela - a couple of beautiful points, yet she still had to save a break-point.

Louise Pleming: "A little bit of a pattern here from Hantuchová. She can jam Sugiyama way in that backhand-side, then follow it up with the dropshot."
Liz Smylie: "Gotta make sure you play that dropshot well, though - Sugiyama [is] pretty quick!"

Another pattern is that Daniela is serving predominantly to Sugiyama's forehand - three times in a row in that game.

Liz Smylie: "You can just tell [that] both these girls have had good results at Wimbledon. They understand grass-court tennis very well. They understand that you have to take your opportunities and move forward, keep it simple, throw in the dropshot."

Louise Pleming has noticed a few raindrops. I don't want this suspended before 13:00, when this match will have to compete with Centre and One for BBC-coverage.

Sugiyama serving 2-1: On the fourth stroke, Daniela's deep backhand down the middle appeared to clip the baseline, but was called long. 15/0. Deep first serve down the middle + crosscourt backhand + pinpoint backhand winner down the line. 30/0. First serve down the middle: Daniela took the initiative with a deep backhand return down the middle + penetrating crosscourt forehand to force a short, weak forehand from Sugiyama, but Daniela hit a down-the-line off-backhand would-be winner just wide - Daniela's down-the-line backhand is usually her best shot, but so far today, it isn't working. Louise Pleming: "Just not finding the centre of the racket." 40/0. Ace out wide: on the sideline.

Daniela may be a break down still, but I'm enjoying this match for the quality of play - especially from her.

Louise Pleming: "Looking at Daniela - I'm sure most coaches have looked at her game and thought, 'Okay, how can we give her a little bit more room for error?' If there's one thing that you could try to implement or add to her game, what would you try to do - to give her a little bit more variety, or more shape?"
Liz Smylie: "I don't think you're going to change that at this time in her career. I think the biggest stumbling-block that Daniela Hantuchová has is that she gets incredibly tight.
            "In my opinion, that actually gets worse as you get older. In the beginning of your career, when you're somewhere between 18, 19 and 20, you think you're going to be playing tennis forever, and you think nothing's ever going to go wrong, and all of a sudden, when you start getting older, you start thinking, 'Oh, gee - my opportunities are going to be more limited, and I really want this now,' and it actually gets worse.
            "Daniela has never been able to really conquer those inner demons that she has, and I think that's probably why she's only ever won three tournaments in her career. When she comes up against the very top players in the world, she just gets nervous, and she just can't get the job done.
            "Apart from the fact that she hits the ball very flat, so when she's hitting the ball great, it's good, and when it's off, it's just not so good."

I agree that Daniela's nerves are her biggest problem, but not that they're getting worse as she gets older. Daniela's nerves were worst in her early twenties (2003-2006), when her expectations were that she should be able to hit every shot perfectly and one day win a Major (in singles - she has a Career Grand Slam in mixed doubles).
            Since 2007, Daniela is more mature, and has realistic expectations - "It's okay not to be perfect all the time," she said. She's now less prone to choking from, say, 5-2 in the third, although she still underperforms against the very top players, particularly Serena Williams. I'm not sure whether this is purely because of her nerves, or because her game just isn't effective against those muscular titans. I believe the truth lies halfway between those two extremes, and is shifting from the former to the latter as she gets older (currently about 30/70). She just hasn't been the same force since her foot-injury of April-June 2008 as she was in 2007 and early 2008.

Sugiyama serving 2-3: Sugiyama hit a deep crosscourt forehand just inside the baseline that skidded a little, forcing Daniela to hit a down-the-line forehand wide. Louise Pleming: "If you're not bending the knees and getting down low, it can get away from you." 15/0. First serve on the service-line + backhand winner down the line. 30/0. Daniela spread Sugiyama with a short-angled backhand + crosscourt forehand that forced Sugiyama to chop a weak forehand down the middle; Daniela hit a penetrating off-forehand that bounced low, forcing Sugiyama to hit up as Daniela went to the net and hit an off-backhand drop-volley winner. Liz Smylie: "Didn't overhit the ball here, Hantuchová, but saw the opportunity, moved in, and just hit the volley into the open court. Women's tennis now is such a tall girls' sport." 30/15. Daniela took the initiative with a deep off-forehand, but a mildly awkward crosscourt backhand half-volley from Sugiyama didn't bounce very high, inducing Daniela to slap a crosscourt forehand into the net. 40/15. Deep first serve out wide forced Daniela to spray a forehand return very long.

The commentators discussed tall and short players in women's tennis. Here, we have Daniela, who is tall, graceful and flairsomely powerful, but whose movement is relatively poor, against Sugiyama, who is short and moves extremely well, and is a terrific counterpuncher. Now there are plenty of tall girls who also move well, such as Maria Sharapova, Magdaléna Rybáriková and Venus Williams, but there are also plenty of short girls doing well, such as (let's say less than 5'8") Vera Zvonarëva, Dominika Cibulková, Carla Suárez Navarro, Zheng,Jie, Gisela Dulko, and now Melanie Oudin.

Daniela serving 2-4: Ace out wide: on the sideline. 15/0. Daniela's short-angled crosscourt backhand + short sliced backhand down the line forced Sugiyama to net a running forehand. 30/0. First serve out wide: Sugiyama hit a stunning forehand return-winner down the line. Liz Smylie: "She moved diagonally, which cut the angle down. The ball was back with interest before Hantuchová had finished the follow-through on the serve." 30/15. First serve out wide: crosscourt backhand return just wide. 40/15. Deep second serve down the middle induced Sugiyama to bunt a backhand moonball down the middle; Daniela hit a deep off-forehand that was called long but overruled as good, so, since it wasn't a winner, they had to replay the point - a shame for Daniela, who had set herself up for an easy volley off the floater that forehand had forced from Sugiyama. On the replay, Daniela's second serve kicked up on Sugiyama, inducing her to mishit an off-backhand return wide and just long.

Sugiyama serving 4-3 (new balls): Double fault (second serve into the net). 0/15. After a long, neutral baseline-rally, Daniela took the initiative with an off-forehand deep into the corner to force a short backhand from Sugiyama; Daniela went to the net behind a deep crosscourt forehand to force a floater from Sugiyama; the obvious shot for Daniela was a crosscourt backhand drive-volley, but she put it down the line instead - perhaps trying to wrong-foot Sugiyama, who hit a rather weak forehand down the middle; Daniela's deep, penetrating off-forehand volley forced Sugiyama to lunge and hit a one-handed backhand wide. Liz Smylie: "It's nice to see girls hitting groundstrokes and looking to come in." 0/30. On the sixth stroke, Daniela hit a deep crosscourt backhand just inside the sideline, forcing Sugiyama to spray a backhand very long. 0/40 (BP #1). Deep first serve out wide + deep forehand down the middle + short-angled off-forehand volley-winner - it looked like Daniela was going to reach it, but she didn't. 15/40 (BP #2). A deep second serve gave Sugiyama a slight initiative and, on the seventh stroke, she hit a short-angled off-forehand winner that clipped the netcord and landed just inside the sideline. 30/40 (BP #3). Deep first serve on the service-line, but Daniela took the initiative with a deep forehand return down the middle - just inside the baseline - forcing Sugiyama to hit a short backhand down the middle; Daniela spread Sugiyama with an off-forehand + deep crosscourt forehand, forcing Sugiyama to net a forehand, finally giving Daniela the break back! She celebrated with a "c'mon" and a fist-pump.

I'm very glad to get the break back before the rain comes...

Liz Smylie: "Hantuchová has been the one that's just making more of the play. She's been the one that's just been able to exert that much more pressure on Sugiyama. Just always felt like the last couple of service-games that Sugiyama had won, she was just hanging on."

Daniela serving 4-4: Daniela started the point with a first serve out wide + crosscourt backhand, but Sugiyama neutered that initiative with some solid counterpunching; then Daniela opened up the court with a short-angled crosscourt forehand just inside the sideline, but hit an off-forehand would-be winner just wide. 0/15. Second serve: Sugiyama dominated the point with a deep crosscourt backhand return + penetrating crosscourt forehand that forced Daniela to hit a crosscourt forehand wide. 0/30. First serve down the middle - on the service-line - forced a short backhand return, which Daniela dispatched with a short-angled crosscourt forehand winner just inside the sideline. Liz Smylie: "Sugiyama's looking for this one to go up the line; Hantuchová just whips it crosscourt." 15/30. First serve down the middle induced Sugiyama to hit an off-forehand return wide. 30/30. First serve out wide + low-bouncing crosscourt backhand induced Sugiyama to net a backhand. 40/30. First serve out wide + deep backhand winner down the line - at last it's working in this match!

Well recovered from 0/30!

Liz Smylie: "This match is really Hantuchová's to win or lose. She's the one that's being able to exert more pressure. She's the one that's using the court better, and Sugiyama is just the one that is retrieving. If Hantuchová executes, then she will win. If she makes the errors, then Sugiyama will win."
Louise Pleming: "It's the nerve-factor that gives her the inability to execute at times, Hantuchová. Maybe she's feeling so comfortable playing Sugiyama - she's done it so many times - that that may not affect her today."
Liz Smylie: "Before most people go out and play a match, they're a little bit nervous, and then as you get into the match, the nerves ease, but they can come back. I just think they come back a lot with Daniela. Sometimes you can control that, and sometimes you can't."

Sugiyama serving 4-5: Sugiyama sent Daniela to one side of the court with a crosscourt backhand, then hit a deceptive backhand down the line: it caught Daniela leaning the wrong way, forcing her to set off late and chop a forehand lob long as Sugiyama started going to the net. 15/0. First serve just long. Daniela attacked the second serve with a hard, deep off-forehand return, forcing Sugiyama to hit an early down-the-line backhand wide. 15/15. Deep first serve out wide, but it was right in Daniela's hitting-zone: her deep, penetrating forehand return down the line forced Sugiyama to net a backhand. Louise Pleming: "With her long limbs, Hantuchová sometimes just makes it look so easy. The arm is relaxed, and the racket-head just comes through so smoothly." Liz Smylie: "Venus Williams is the same: she's got long limbs. Sometimes they're at their most dangerous when they're on the full stretch." 15/30. On the third stroke, Sugiyama netted a cheap backhand. 15/40 (SP #1). First serve down the middle forced a short return, which Sugiyama dispatched with an off-forehand winner. 30/40 (SP #2). First serve clipped the netcord and fell wide. Sugiyama tried to jam Daniela with her second serve, but Daniela quickly repositioned her feet a couple of inches further to her left, and hit an acute off-forehand return that induced Sugiyama to spray a wild crosscourt backhand into the tramlines. Daniela won the first set 6-4 at 12:54 BST (43m). She celebrated with a "c'mon" and a fist-pump.

From *2-4 down, Daniela has won the last four games. That's the best set of tennis I've seen her play at Wimbledon 2009 by quite some distance.

Louise Pleming: "Terrific turnaround for Hantuchová - she was down 2-4, and the radar just started to work a little bit for her."
Liz Smylie: "Hantuchová has actually been using the court quite well. She's been pulling Sugiyama to the extremities: left and right."

Second set

HANTUCHO *@  *@* * 6
SUGIYAMA   @*   *  3

Daniela serving 0-0: Daniela got away with a short second serve; she took the initiative on the third stroke with a crosscourt forehand, and her short but penetrating down-the-line forehand forced Sugiyama to net a backhand. Liz Smylie: "It's really been the pattern in the latter stages of that first set: Hantuchová pulling Sugiyama first to the forehand-side and then hitting the good shot up the line. Sugiyama's doing a lot of running." 15/0. Deep first serve just inside the service-line, but Sugiyama's deep forehand return down the middle pushed Daniela back on her heels, forcing her to hit an off-forehand wide. 15/15. First serve out wide: Sugiyama tested Daniela with a deep forehand return down the line, but Daniela bunted back a crosscourt backhand just inside the sideline to draw a relatively weak crosscourt backhand from Sugiyama; Daniela hit a backhand dropshot from behind the baseline, forcing Sugiyama to run and push a down-the-line forehand wide. Louise Pleming: "She has a terrific backhand dropshot!" Liz Smylie: "She started out playing them in the beginning of the match, and then didn't play any for a while, and that one is just perfect: behind the baseline, not an easy shot to hit, and she follows it in - Hantuchová knows that Sugiyama is probably going to get to it, but she has to do something once she does get to it." 30/15. Double fault #2 (second serve into the net). 30/30. On the third stroke, Daniela hit a raking short-angled crosscourt forehand just inside the sideline, forcing Sugiyama to bunt back a short, weak forehand, which Daniela dispatched with an easy down-the-line backhand winner back behind Sugiyama. 40/30. Deep first serve out wide - on the service-line - forced Sugiyama to hit a backhand return just long.

As in the second round, now that Centre Court and Court One are getting underway, the bustards who control what is shown on BBC Red Button have decided to leave this match to show Roberta Vinci v Serena Williams instead - and the other Freeview Red Button stream is showing Moto GP instead of tennis! :fiery:

So I just followed live scores from here on in.

Sugiyama serving 0-1: 15/30... Broken.
Daniela serving 2-0: 15/0. 15/15. 15/30. 30/30. 30/40 (BP #1). Deuce #1. Ad Sugiyama (BP #2). Deuce #2. Ad Sugiyama (BP #3). Broken.
Sugiyama serving 1-2: 0/40 (BPx3). Deuce. Ad Sugiyama.

Daniela is back to her old habit of squandering break-points. :sad: I also remember Maria Sharapova squandering some 0/40 openings against Sugiyama at Wimbledon 2004.

Daniela serving 2-2: 40/0. 40/15. Held.
Sugiyama serving 2-3: 0/40 (BP). Broken.

At least Daniela's fourth-round match should be on Centre Court if she wins this one: Serena Williams just beat Roberta Vinci and awaits the winner of this match. [The order-of-play committee put Safina v Mauresmo on Centre Court instead :-||]

Daniela serving 4-2 (new balls): 40/0. Deuce #1. Ad Daniela. Deuce #2. Ad Daniela. Deuce #3. Ad Sugiyama (BP). Deuce #4. Ad Daniela. Held.

Break-point saved, and surely Daniela has essentially won this match now. It's only one break, but even if she chokes and loses the second set 5-7, she should surely have a fitness-advantage over the 33-year-old Sugiyama in the third. Provided that the rain stays away, of course. But wait, I'm getting ahead of myself. Let me take you back to when it all began...

Sugiyama serving 2-5: 30/0. 30/15. 40/15. Held.
Daniela serving 5-3: 0/15. 30/15. 30/30. 40/30 (MP #1). Deuce #1. Ad Daniela (MP #2). Deuce #2. Ad Daniela (MP #3). The BBC showed this point in a couple of round-ups: a good serve down the middle induced Sugiyama to hit an off-forehand return just long. Daniela won 6-4 6-3 at 13:48 BST (second set 54m, match 1h37m).

At 15:57 BST came the sad news that Daniela was feeling unwell and had gone home. It was later confirmed that she was suffering from 'flu (hopefully not of the swine-variety) and had gone to see a doctor, but at least she has until Monday to recover...

Statistics

Both ladies had positive W:UE ratios, with Daniela the more aggressive at 23:21 to Sugiyama's 16:13. Daniela's W:UE ratios were pretty much identical in both sets, while Sugiyama's deteriorated from 9:3 for the first set to 7:10 for the second.

Daniela was also more aggressive in terms of going to the net, winning 15 of 21 points (71%) there to Sugiyama's 9 of 14 (64%). Daniela went to the net more in the second set, but with a lower success-rate than in the first (from 7 of 9 to 8 of 12), while Sugiyama did the opposite (from 5 of 8 to 4 of 6).

Daniela's first serve was faster than Sugiyama's: fastest 108-103 mph, average 98-93 mph. Sugiyama had the faster average second serve: 80-75 mph.

Daniela served three aces to Sugiyama's one, and they served three double faults each.

Daniela got 70% of her first serves in, winning 63% of the points when she did so, and 52% on second serve. Her first-serve percentages did deteriorate from (72%, 70%) for the first set to (69%, 58%) for the second, while her second-serve winning-percentage improved from 44% to 57%.

Sugiyama got 65% of her first serves in, winning 66% of the points when she did so, but only 29% on second serve. These percentages deteriorated from (70%, 68%, 38%) for the first set to (59%, 62%, 22%) for the second.

Daniela broke four times from 10 BPs (twice from 5 BPs in each set), while Sugiyama broke only twice from 7 BPs (once in each set, from 3 and 4 BPs respectively).

In points, Daniela won 69-57 (first set 31-28, second set 38-29).

Daniela's press-conference

Q. Do you feel bad beating your doubles-partner today?

DANIELA HANTUCHOVÁ: Yeah, definitely. It's never a nice feeling, you know, having to play Sugi, because she's one of my best friends. We've got such a great history together. She's a great person.
            So, winning or losing, I knew always it was going to be a strange feeling for me. So I just tried to, you know, think - take it as another tennis-match, and not to think that she was on the other side.

Q. She seemed to be quite comfortable, had a break in the first set, and then you reeled off five games. What was the change there, do you think?

DANIELA HANTUCHOVÁ: Yeah, I mean, you know, she's a great player, especially on grass. I knew that going into the match. And I knew I had to be really focused and play very well tactically, which I did.
            At the beginning, I felt like, you know, maybe I was giving her too much rhythm, and I just tried to maybe step a little bit back and try different things, you know, move her around the court and change it up because, you know, when you hit it to her, she's one of the best hitters on the Tour.
            So I knew it was important to, you know, do different things during the match.

Q. Must be very satisfying for you to get through to the second week. You have good memories of this place. How pleased are you?

DANIELA HANTUCHOVÁ: Yeah, definitely feels great. I mean, you know, being in the second week, it's obviously always a fantastic feeling. I'm really gonna enjoy now the weekend, and really looking forward for the Monday's match.

Q. Not an easy game the next round.

DANIELA HANTUCHOVÁ: Yeah, you know, again, I'm just taking it one match at a time here, and so far it's been good. Obviously it's gonna be a tough one. But, you know, I'm ready, and I'm really looking forward to it.

Q. Do you have any thoughts on how Serena [Williams] is playing?

DANIELA HANTUCHOVÁ: I haven't really seen her this year. But, you know, obviously playing her quite some time before, I know exactly what to expect. You know, she's a great competitor and great player. So it's gonna be obviously a tough match.
            But, you know, I've been playing well, so we'll see.

Q. She said she thought you were a smooth player. [She said] she would have to bring out her toughest game to take you on.

DANIELA HANTUCHOVÁ: Yeah, I mean, I think I have to do the same if I want to beat her. I have to bring my best game. It's gonna be interesting who's gonna be able to do that.
            She's one of the best players in history, obviously a grand champion. But, like I said, I feel I have my chance, and we'll see.

Q. What's happened to your voice? Do you have a cold?

DANIELA HANTUCHOVÁ: Yeah, I've been fighting a 'flu for the last few days. Before was more, you know, inside. Now it's coming out to the voice. Feel strange speaking like this. <smiling>

Q. You have to face Sugiyama again to team up in the doubles. Are you going to say sorry when you meet her?

DANIELA HANTUCHOVÁ: Yeah, I already said sorry after the match. You know, it was quite funny before the match. We were warming up at the same place. We just had to make sure we were not going to sit on the same bench.

Q. We know Serena is an incredible champion. She brings a certain intensity or attitude out there. Do you have any thoughts about her presence on court?

DANIELA HANTUCHOVÁ: Well, that's why she's one of the greatest, because of her attitude. She always fights, you know, whether she's down or up. She always gives her best.
            Even matches sometimes she could have lost very easily, she always kept fighting and find a way how to get back in the matches. That's what makes her so strong.

Q. That's part of the problem when playing her?

DANIELA HANTUCHOVÁ: I'm not saying it's a problem. It's just the way she is.

Q. It was quite noticeable watching the match today, there's been a lot of talking about grunting, squealing. Both of you hit the ball, don't make any noise at all. What is your take on the current situation?

DANIELA HANTUCHOVÁ: Well, I don't think I had any chances to make any noise anyway today, with my voice like this. It was kind of cool because, you know, I had to just focus on my shots, and not to waste any energy feeling like this.
            But, uhm, you know, I think me and Sugi are the players from maybe the older generation, where we taught always playing the fair play, it's the way to play.
            You know, making an extra sound to disrupt the opponents and the game, I don't think it's nice. But I felt today, you know, in the match, because we know so well each other, that we had some really nice rallies, because we knew already before where to move and stuff.
            So today's game I really enjoyed. And I always enjoy playing Sugi.

Q. Do you think it's gone too far? Do you think something needs to be done?

DANIELA HANTUCHOVÁ: I don't know. I mean, there's nothing I can do about it, so I don't even think about it.

Q. This week, Fabrice Santoro played his last match at Wimbledon.

DANIELA HANTUCHOVÁ: Really?

Q. He's playing doubles, but we're not expecting to see him back in singles. I was wondering if you could take us back to 2005, when you won together.

DANIELA HANTUCHOVÁ: Oh, gosh.

Q. Any special memory from that time? Can you tell us anything about him as a player and as a man?

DANIELA HANTUCHOVÁ: For me, was such unbelievable experience. I mean, just being on the same side of the court with him, it was incredible. He's such a genius on the court. I think anybody that played against him would say that.
            The stuff he was able to do with the racquet, you know, the rallies he made, I think they gonna make the history in tennis. So I'm sure everybody's gonna miss him.
            For me was, I mean, so much fun, and especially playing in France with him. It was unbelievable. We had such a great support from the crowds. I was so proud to win the title with him.
            So I'm sure I'm gonna miss him, as well. He's been so great for the game. Especially, you know, today's tennis, it's so much about power, physically strong players. But he was able to show that, you know, it's not all about that. You know, he was able to bring something different to the game.

Q. He pulls off shots you wonder how he did it.

DANIELA HANTUCHOVÁ: Sometimes when we were playing, I was like, "Okay, we lost the point." Suddenly, the next thing I see the ball is coming back to our opponent. He was a genius really.

Sugiyama's press-conference

Q. Unlucky today. It seemed like you had the match quite under control. You were 4-3 up [in the] first set, and then it seemed to slip away.

AI SUGIYAMA: Yeah, I mean: I started really good. I was hitting the ball deep, and could sort of make her run at the beginning. But she changed the pace at the middle of the first set, and I couldn't really adjust. I lost my rhythm, and she took away.
            Then, also second set, I tried to catch up, but she was always ahead.
            It was closer than the score was, but I couldn't get the game.

Q. You know each other's games obviously very well. You've played a lot of singles, played doubles together. How difficult is that to actually go and play somebody that you know they know all about your game?

AI SUGIYAMA: Well, actually it's the same for both of us, so it's not that difficult - just focus on what I have to do.
            But I think she was doing really good what she has to do. She was going for the line, down the line earlier than I did. She was making me run the first couple of shots, and then I had to run side to side at the beginning. She was the one who was dominating from the shots.
            It's not that easy for me to make her run from the end of that first set.

Q. Were you trying to avoid each other before you played, or did you kind of see each other and chat in the locker-room before the match?

AI SUGIYAMA: No, actually we didn't talk much this morning, but we were also changing the... there's a room separating south and north, and we were a different part of the locker-room, so we didn't see each other much. It's not that difficult. Once we have to play, we have to play and focus on what we have to do. So it's not that difficult.

Q. It's quite unusual watching a match with both players - both women-players - where when you hit the ball, strike the ball, neither of you make any noise; there's no grunting or shrieking. It's quite nice. Do you think it's actually got a little bit out of control now, some of it?

AI SUGIYAMA: I think some people are just too noisy. I understand that they grunt or when she hits the ball, says, "Uhh," or something, but not like extra noise until their opponent hits the ball. That's, I think, way too much.

Q. Do you think it's almost something that's become accepted, and coaches are almost saying do it?

AI SUGIYAMA: I don't know what it is. I mean, for me, it's extra effort to do it for me, so I'd rather not do it. If they are trying to bother the opponent playing, it's not fair, I would say.

Q. As one of the older players on the women's tour, I was wondering, do you pay particular attention to your diet? And as such, you've been coming for Wimbledon for so long. Do you have favorite restaurants, or things you like to eat while you spend time in London?

AI SUGIYAMA: Actually, we're renting a house, and my mom is cooking quite often - almost every day. We, of course, sometimes go to the restaurant to eat, but mainly my mom is cooking.

Q. That would be Japanese cuisine?

Articles

Hantuchová beats doubles-partner [CEEFAX 494]
>>>
Daniela Hantuchová overcame her Japanese doubles-partner Ai Sugiyama 6-4 6-3 to make the fourth round.

"She's a great person, so winning or losing, I knew always it was going to be a strange feeling for me."
<<<

High-five as Hantuchová hits form (Helen Gilbert, www.wimbledon.org)
>>>
Daniela Hantuchová overcame a shaky start to see off friend and doubles-partner Ai Sugiyama 6-4 6-3, celebrating the victory with a high-five handshake with her Japanese opponent.

Or maybe it was a reminder that this is the first of five matches that the Slovak needs to win to be a Wimbledon-champion. Step Two comes on Monday against No.2 seed Serena Williams in the fourth round.
<<<

Ear-plugs not necessary as Hantuchová shines (Reuters)
(Reporting by Martyn Herman; editing by Ken Ferris)
>>>
Apart from the thud of ball against strings and the applause of the crowd, silence reigned on Court 18 as Daniela Hantuchová beat doubles-partner and best pal Ai Sugiyama to reach the Wimbledon fourth round on Friday.

"I already said sorry," she said. "It's never a nice feeling having to play Sugi, because she's one of my best friends. We've got such a great history together. She's a great person."
<<<

This could be my last Wimbledon, says Sugiyama (AFP)
>>>
Japanese veteran Ai Sugiyama has admitted that this could be her last Wimbledon.

"I hadn't won eight first-round matches in a row, but now that gave me a lot of confidence again to be able to play top level again. It motivates me again."
<<<

Serena Rolls Into Round Of 16 (Tennis Week)
>>>
Continuing her quest for her first Wimbledon-crown since 2003, Williams will take on Daniela Hantuchová for a place in the final eight.

"Well, that's why she's one of the greatest, because of her attitude. She always fights, you know, whether she's down or up," Hantuchová said. "She always gives her best. Even matches sometimes she could have lost very easily, she always kept fighting, and find a way how to get back in the matches. That's what makes her so strong."
<<<

My preview

Whenever I think about Daniela playing Serena Williams, I immediately remember their last meeting: that dramatic fourth-round match at Wimbledon 2007, when Williams collapsed at 6-2 5-5* with a spasm-induced calf-strain, writhing and screaming in agony.

It looked like Williams was about to retire, but amazingly, she eventually got up and managed to force a tiebreak, despite hobbling between points!

Then Williams was saved by a two-hour rain-delay (with Daniela leading 4/2* in the tiebreak), after which Williams's movement dramatically improved.

Daniela did manage to win the tiebreak, but she folded horribly in the third set, as Williams indulged in some bizarre gamesmanship, including asking to go to the toilet before each of Daniela's last two service-games (which she broke), and refusing to go to the toilet before her own service-game in between.

I would like nothing more from this Wimbledon than for Daniela to avenge that bullying display by Williams, and go on to win the title. Unfortunately that doesn't seem very likely, as Williams leads their head to head 6:1:
- 2002 Wimbledon qf: Williams 6-3 6-2
- 2002 US Open qf: Williams 6-2 6-2
- 2005 Dubai qf: Williams 6-4 6-3
+ 2006 Australian Open 3r: Daniela 6-1 7-6 (7/5)
- 2006 Los Angeles 3r: Williams 1-6 6-3 6-3<
- 2006 US Open 2r: Williams 7-5 6-3
- 2007 Wimbledon 4r: Williams 6-2 6-7 (2/7) 6-2

Williams isn't having a great year by her own standards as a ten-time Major champion who currently holds the US and Australian Open titles, but still has an impressive 28:7 win/loss record for 2009 so far (including her three wins here).

At Sydney, Williams saved four match-points in the first round before beating world #46 Samantha Stosur 6-3 6-7 7-5, and saved another three match-points before beating #12 Caroline Wozniacki 6-7 6-3 7-6 in the quarter-finals. She was then thrashed 6-3 6-1 by #4 Elena Dementieva.

But Serena almost always rises to the occasion for Majors other than the French Open, and she claimed her tenth Major at the Australian Open. In the fourth round, she was being thrashed by #14 Victoria Azarenka before Vika sadly was taken ill and had to retire leading 6-3 *2-4. Williams also pulled off a great escape against #8 Svetlana Kuznetsova, who led 7-5 5-3* before losing 7-5 5-7 1-6, then Williams beat #4 Elena Dementieva 6-3 6-4 in the semi-finals, and thrashed #3 Dinara Safina 6-0 6-3 in the final.

However, Williams has struggled with a right-knee injury ever since winning the Australian Open. She reached the semi-finals of WTA Paris, but gave Dementieva a walkover.

She reached the semi-finals of Dubai by beating #8 Ana Ivanovic 6-4 6-4, but lost 6-1 2-6 7-6 to #6 Venus Williams. She avenged that defeat by beating Venus 6-4 3-6 6-3 in the semi-finals of Miami, but was thrashed 6-3 6-1 by #10 Victoria Azarenka in the final (just as she would have been at the Australian Open, had Vika not been ill).

Amazingly, that was the start of a four-match losing-streak for Williams, which continued into the clay-court season at Marbella (6-4 3-6 6-1 to #95 Klára Zakopalová), Rome (6-2 2-6 6-1 to #20 Patty Schnyder) and Madrid (4-6 retired against #45 Francesca Schiavone).

The French Open 2009 was one Major where it was absolutely safe to write off Williams's chances of winning the title, yet she almost beat the eventual champion before bowing out in the quarter-finals. In the first round, she avenged her loss to Zakopalová 6-3 6-7(5) 6-4, then thrashed #133 Virginia Ruano Pascual 6-2 6-0. She beat #43 María José Martínez Sánchez 4-6 6-3 6-4 in the third round, then thrashed #24 Aleksandra Wozniak 6-1 6-2 in the fourth round. In the quarter-finals, she recovered from 6-7 *1-4 and 3-5* against #7 Svetlana Kuznetsova, yet she was the one who got tight when leading *3-2 (40/0) in the third; Kuznetsova won 7-6 5-7 7-5.

But while it was safe to write off Williams at the French Open, it certainly isn't at Wimbledon! She won Wimbledon in 2002 and 2003, and was runner-up to Maria Sharapova in 2004, and to Venus Williams in 2008. Grass is a much more forgiving surface than clay, and of course Serena now has much more match-play than she did going into the French Open.

Williams has reached the fourth round with the following results:
1r + Neuza Silva [Q], 6-1 7-5
2r + Jarmila Groth, 6-2 6-1
3r + Roberta Vinci, 6-3 6-4

Daniela's route to the fourth round:
1r + Laura Robson [WC], 3-6 6-4 6-2
2r + ZHENG,JIE [16], 6-3 7-5
3r + Ai Sugiyama, 6-4 6-3

All things considered, I believe Daniela can at least push Williams to two tight sets; the problem is their respective mental strength when it does get tight. Daniela's failings in this department are well documented, while Williams proved as recently as the French Open that she is still an extremely tough competitor under pressure.

One thing Daniela needs to avoid is going 0-2 down at the start, as she has done in all three of her previous matches at Wimbledon 2009. Williams is a big server and a fearsome frontrunner, so it really needs to be at least 1-1 after the first two games. Perhaps Daniela needs to do some more exercises before the match than she would normally do, so that everything is flowing in the right direction from the start.

Another factor is, of course, Daniela's 'flu, with which she went home early and saw a doctor after winning her third-round match on Friday. She lost a doubles-match 6-4 6-7 6-2 on Saturday, so I can only pray that it won't impair her performance on Monday.

Prematch articles

Second Week Line-Up Takes Shape (www.sonyericssonwtatour.com)
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Facing one of the few players in the upper echelon of the WTA Tour who is a natural net-player, Serena Williams definitely came through with flying colours on Friday, beating Roberta Vinci 6-3 6-4.

<snip>

"Obviously, it's going to be a tough one for me," said Hantuchová, whose two grass-court losses to Williams came here: in the quarter-finals in 2002 and the fourth round in 2007. "I've played her many times before. I know what to expect. She's one of the best players in history. But I've been playing well too."
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Day 7 Preview (www.sonyericssonwtatour.com)
>>>
Court 2:
Daniela Hantuchová (SVK) vs. [2] Serena Williams (USA)
S.Williams leads 6:1

She has been playing close to her all-court best this week, and Serena has praised the 26-year-old Slovak's "smooth" playing-style. But the 10-time Major champion also knows how to break it up.
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My TV-report

- Daniela Hantuchová [EF] lt. SERENA WILLIAMS [2], 3-6 1-6

It was Daniela's joint-heaviest loss to Serena. She played some good tennis in the first set, but Williams was too strong in the end. In the second set, Daniela's challenge faded badly with a series of unforced errors.

Daniela was broken for 1-3* just before BBC 2 started televising it. She broke back immediately with a scorching forehand winner down the line at 40/30, and a gorgeous backhand winner down the line at break-point!

At *2-3, Williams broke to love with three winners in the row - the last a lucky netcord-winner. This time, she consolidated her break with three big serves.

At *2-5, Daniela played an excellent service-game: at 15/15, she played a gorgeous spreading rally finished with a backhand volley-winner, and a serve + crosscourt forehand winner on the following point.

Williams sealed the first set with two aces in a row, and won 15 points in a row from *5-3 in the first set to 2-0* (40/0*) in the second. By this time, Daniela's errors were much more unforced than in the first set, and her confidence looked shot.

Three Williams forehand-errors saved those break-points, but Daniela made one herself, then surrendered her serve on a double fault.

BBC 2 stopped showing it at 0-3*, but televisation continued on the Red Button at *0-4 (30/15). From there, Daniela won one point with a good first serve, but the other two points she needed for her lone game of the second set were really gifted to her by Williams netting two makeable forehand returns.

At 1-4*, Daniela put some pressure on Williams's serve with a good spreading rally and an error-forcing forehand down the line, but Williams held with three big serves and an off-forehand winner.

At *1-5, Williams's off-backhand winner gave her a 15/30 opening, and Daniela hit a semi-makeable crosscourt forehand pass wide to go 15/40 down. Her fate was sealed when she hit a down-the-line forehand wide.

Williams: "I was definitely out there not to stay out too long [in the 30°C heat], and just do the best I could do, whether it was win or lose."

First set

HANTUCHO  *  @  *  3
WILLIAMS * *@ @* * 6

The match was second on Court 2, and started at 13:49 BST.

Williams serving 0-0: Held to love.
Daniela serving 0-1: 30/0... held.
Williams serving 1-1: 0/15. 40/15. Held.
Daniela serving 1-2: 0/15. 15/15. 30/30. 30/40 (BP). Broken on a double fault.

Williams serving 3-1: BBC 2 joined the match at 15/0. Williams appeared to serve an ace out wide, but it was called wide. Second serve: Daniela took the initiative with a deep forehand return down the middle, forcing Williams on the back foot to hit a short, weak forehand; Daniela hit a short-angled crosscourt forehand of flairsome power, but Williams responded with a deep forehand down the middle, inducing Daniela to spray a crosscourt backhand just wide. 30/0. Daniela's body-jamming crosscourt backhand induced Williams to run around her backhand and spray a forehand long. 30/15. Daniela spread Williams with a crosscourt backhand + short-angled crosscourt forehand to the sideline, inducing Williams to spray a loose crosscourt forehand just wide. 30/30. Deep first serve down the middle forced a very short one-handed backhand return; Williams went to the net and hit a crosscourt backhand off that short ball; Daniela's backhand lob was too short, giving Williams an easy crosscourt forehand volley-winner. 40/30. Second serve: Daniela's body-jamming crosscourt backhand return induced Williams to hit a backhand that sat up nicely for Daniela to clout a scorching, pinpoint forehand winner down the line. Deuce. Body-jamming second serve drew a floating backhand return down the line; Williams had too much time: she hit a down-the-line backhand just long. Ad Daniela (BP). Second serve: again, Daniela hit a body-jamming crosscourt backhand return down the middle, forcing Williams on the back foot to hit a short forehand; Daniela hit a deep forehand down the middle, forcing Williams to hit a short forehand down the line; Daniela pounced on it to hit a gorgeous backhand winner down the line!

Chris Bradnam: "Controlled hitting gets the break back."
Virginia Wade: "I think she's been playing actually very well. She looks a little relaxed, because she isn't exactly the calmest player on the court."

Daniela serving 2-3: Williams's deep body-jamming crosscourt forehand return down the middle gave her the initiative to spread Daniela with a crosscourt backhand + crosscourt forehand to force a very short forehand from Daniela; Williams went to the net behind a penetrating off-forehand, forcing Daniela to lunge wide and earth a backhand off the frame of her racket. 0/15. Short second serve: Williams spread Daniela with a crosscourt forehand + short forehand down the line; Daniela appeared to recover with a deep crosscourt backhand just inside the sideline, but Williams hit an "awesome" short-angled crosscourt backhand winner onto the sideline. Virginia Wade: "And this to me is really one of the edges that Serena has: she's able to hit the ball in front, get her racket around the ball, and her wrists will take that crosscourt, so she's able to hit much more acute angles than Hantuchová is." 0/30. Daniela went for a deep, body-jamming first serve, but paid the price for putting it right in Williams's hitting-zone as Williams blasted a pinpoint backhand return-winner down - and just inside - Daniela's backhand-sideline. 0/40 (BP). Deep first serve down the middle, but Williams's forehand return clipped the netcord twice, and dribbled over for a winner to reinstate the break.

It's over 30°C out there.

Williams serving 4-2: Second serve down the middle: Daniela netted a cheap backhand return. 15/0. Williams opened up the court with a deep first serve out wide + crosscourt forehand just inside the sideline to force a short, defensive forehand from Daniela; Williams appeared to hit an off-forehand winner onto the sideline, but it was called wide. Virginia Wade: "It's the second time Serena has made an error off a slow, defensive ball." 15/15. First serve out wide - right in the corner - forced Daniela to stretch outside the tramlines and earth a forehand return. 30/15. Deep first serve down the middle forced Daniela to lunge wide and hit a forehand return long and wide. 40/15. Huge first serve out wide - on the sideline - forced Daniela to hit a forehand return long.

Daniela serving 2-5 (new balls): Deep first serve down the middle forced Williams to earth a backhand return. 15/0. Deep first serve out wide: Williams hit a body-jamming crosscourt backhand return down the middle to force a short, weak forehand from Daniela; Williams hit a crosscourt backhand winner right in the corner: just inside both lines. 15/15. Daniela played a gorgeous spreading rally: her deep second serve down the middle was met by a deep backhand return just inside the baseline, but Daniela picked it off with a short half-volley backhand, and proceeded to spread Williams with a crosscourt backhand + down-the-line backhand + crosscourt backhand to force a floater from Williams, which Daniela dispatched with an off-forehand smash-winner back behind Williams. 30/15. First serve down the middle: Williams's forehand return bounced high, and Daniela clouted a crosscourt forehand winner with relish. 40/15. Deep first serve out wide: Williams netted a makeable forehand return.

Excellent service-game by Daniela!

Virginia Wade: "New balls making a difference."
Chris Bradnam: "Certainly playing quick at the tournament already - with the heat."
Virginia Wade: "The courts are hard. You have to really have your reactions fired up."

Williams serving 5-3: Body-jamming second serve: Daniela sprayed a wild forehand return very long. 15/0. First serve out wide forced a short, one-handed crosscourt backhand return; Williams went to the net and hit a down-the-line backhand, and easily picked off Daniela's running forehand down the line (Daniela really selected the worst of three options there) with a crosscourt backhand drop-volley winner. 30/0. Ace down the middle caught the outside edge of the centre-line. 40/0 (SP #1). Ace down the middle: just inside the service-line. Williams won the first set 6-3 at 14:19 BST (30m).

Daniela's playing very well, but Williams is just too strong. I couldn't ask Daniela for anything more in (what the BBC showed of) that set.

Chris Bradnam: "Got a little sticky, the set, in the middle."
Virginia Wade: "There's definitely been some good tennis out here, but it's not exactly a day for long rallies. I mean: the ball is moving through the air so quickly. It's pretty hard to keep up with it. It's pretty hard to cover the court when they're hitting it so hard."
Chris Bradnam: "That's a major difference between the two, isn't it? The movement: Serena covering the court better."
Virginia Wade: "She powers the ball, I think she adds more in the way of crosscourt shots, and her serve is totally reliable."

There were several shouts of "C'mon Daniela!" - both male and female - from the crowd during the set-break.

Virginia Wade: "For Hantuchová, it is such a monumental mental effort to believe that she can win this match, so she's got to really give more than everything on every point. It's a mental challenge more than anything."

Second set

HANTUCHO     *   1
WILLIAMS @*@* *@ 6

Daniela serving 0-0: First serve out wide: Williams took the initiative with a hard, deep crosscourt forehand return down the middle, forcing Daniela to bunt back a short half-volley forehand; Williams went to the net behind a crosscourt backhand to the sideline; Daniela hit a testing crosscourt backhand pass, but Williams picked it off with a backhand drop-volley winner. 0/15. On the third stroke, Daniela dumped a forehand into the net. Virginia Wade: "That's been where most of Hantuchová's errors have come from: on the stroke immediately after she's served. The return is coming back so fast [that] you have to really hustle to get yourself ready. You've got to make a very conscious effort to be ready and move your feet for that ball." 0/30. Daniela hit a good, deep first serve, and a crosscourt forehand off Williams's backhand return down the line, but just stood there in the right half of the court as Williams hit a down-the-line forehand, forcing Daniela to earth a one-handed backhand. 0/40 (BP). Daniela conceded her serve rather meekly: by hitting a backhand long off a mildly awkward deep forehand down the line from Williams.

Williams serving 1-0: Deep, body-jamming second serve + off-backhand winner back behind Daniela. 15/0. Deep second serve out wide: Daniela dumped a backhand return into the net. Virginia Wade: "Daniela was there; she was early on that return. A bit more willpower needed to make these shots go in." 30/0. Second serve: Daniela spread Williams with an off-backhand return onto the sideline + crosscourt backhand onto the baseline + pinpoint backhand down the line, but hit a down-the-line forehand just long - and credit to Williams for hitting all her groundstrokes very deep in that rally. Chris Bradnam: "That's a big error from Hantuchová." 40/0. Williams served and volleyed, hitting a deep off-forehand volley back behind Daniela to force a defensive backhand lob; Williams, running backwards, hit an amazing off-forehand smash-winner onto the sideline. Chris Bradnam: "Confirms what an athlete she is." Virginia Wade: "It was a good lob, but just about right for her."

Daniela's resistance has weakened at the start of this set. Her errors are much more unforced now, and she's lost the last 12 points.

Daniela serving 0-2: First serve out wide: Williams's deep crosscourt forehand return forced Daniela to hit a down-the-line forehand half-volley wide. 0/15. First serve: a mildly awkward deep crosscourt backhand return induced Daniela to dump a backhand into the net. Virginia Wade: "Come on, Daniela. Now she's really lost her confidence." 0/30. Double fault (second serve just long). 0/40 (BP #1). On the sixth stroke, Williams hit a forehand just long. 15/40 (BP #2). Deep first serve out wide - on the service-line - checked a little, forcing Williams to earth a forehand return. 30/40 (BP #3). First serve down the middle: Williams blasted a wild off-forehand return long. There was a loud "c'mon Daniela" from the crowd. Deuce. Deep first serve out wide drew a mild crosscourt forehand return, but Daniela hit a wild forehand very long. Ad Williams (BP #4). Double fault (second serve clipped the netcord and fell back on her side).

Daniela had lost 15 points in a row up to 0/40, and her confidence looks shot.

Virginia Wade: "She looks as if she's feeling okay - it doesn't look like the heat's getting to her or anything - but it's just a disappearing act. What a poor game."
Chris Bradnam: "It's a big year, this year for Hantuchová, with the ranking on the slide, the injuries that have played their part, 26 years of age. It's the sort of match and potentially what could have been a great win to reinspire maybe a route back to the top ten, but it's gonna be tough at #32 in the world to get back up there."
Virginia Wade: "Nigel Sears used to work with her. We all knew what a great forehand down the line she had, and yet there were so many times when another shot would have been right - when her opponent wouldn't have been anticipating the down-the-line shot all the time - and it was so difficult for him to get her to change that. She's a bit of a perfectionist, and she also likes the way she plays, and some people have difficulty making changes."

Now the bustards who control what is shown on the various BBC channels have moved away from this match to show Azarenka v Petrova (currently 2-3* in the third set), whilst continuing to show Azarenka v Petrova on one Red Button stream, and notice of an upcoming men's match on the other Red Button stream! :fiery:

Williams serving 3-0: 15/0... held.

Daniela serving 0-4: 30/0. BBC Red Button joined the match at 30/15. Second serve sat up nicely for Williams to hit a short-angled crosscourt backhand return just inside the sideline and follow it to the net, inducing Daniela to net a one-handed backhand. Chris Bradnam: "That's a 78mph second serve - maybe nervous about the double fault before." 30/30. Second serve out wide: Williams blasted a forehand return halfway up the net. 40/30. Deep first serve down the middle: on the service-line; Daniela tried to spread Williams with an off-forehand + backhand dropshot-winner down the line, but Williams read it early, ran it down and hit a down-the-line forehand winner. Deuce. Excellent first serve out wide - right in the corner - forced Williams to stretch wide and blast a crosscourt forehand return long. Ad Daniela. Deep first serve down the middle - just inside the service-line - forced Williams to net a forehand return.

Two excellent first serves stop a losing-streak of five games in a row that Daniela had lost.

Virginia Wade: "Just not enough coming from Daniela. Rather a tame performance. She's seemed a little bit slow; she's seemed to be beaten by the pace. I always think Daniela relishes the hard hit coming at her, so just today not there.
            "She's getting this extra pace to face off Serena's racket. Why doesn't Daniela actually take one little step back just to give her a bit more time? You see her after her serve: she's so well-trained to stay close to the baseline, but sometimes I think players forget that if you just take literally a foot or two behind, it just gives you a split second longer to time the ball."

Williams serving 4-1: First serve out wide - deep in the corner - forced Daniela outside the tramlines to net a forehand return. 15/0. Second serve: Daniela spread Williams with a short-angled crosscourt backhand return + short-angled crosscourt forehand, forcing Williams to net a forehand. 15/15. Ace #5: down the middle: on the service-line - that was like a Karlovic-serve! 30/15. Daniela punished a short second serve with a penetrating forehand return, forcing Williams to hit a short forehand that sat up nicely for Daniela to clout a down-the-line forehand whose pace forced Williams to stretch wide and bunt a backhand lob long. 30/30. Ace #6: down the middle: just inside the service-line. 40/30. Deep, body-jamming second serve forced a weak off-forehand return; Williams's deep crosscourt backhand forced Daniela to stretch wide and hit a short sliced backhand, which Williams dispatched with an off-forehand winner into the corner.

Daniela serving 1-5: First serve out wide, deep in the corner, but it was right in Williams's hitting-zone, enabling her to blast a crosscourt forehand return-winner deep into the corner. 0/15. Deep first serve out wide forced a short, weak backhand return; Daniela's crosscourt forehand induced Williams to mishit a forehand long. 15/15. Deep second serve: Williams's early, penetrating backhand return forced Daniela to hit a very short sliced backhand, which Williams dispatched with an off-backhand winner deep into the corner. 15/30. First serve out wide: deep crosscourt backhand return just inside the baseline forced Daniela to hit an early backhand short and weak; Williams went to the net behind a crosscourt forehand, forcing Daniela to hit a semi-makeable crosscourt forehand pass wide. Chris Bradnam: "It's just not happened for Hantuchová today." 15/40 (MP #1). First serve down the middle: Williams's penetrating backhand return forced a weak backhand down the middle from Daniela; Williams's penetrating crosscourt forehand forced Daniela to hit a running forehand pass down the line that clipped the netcord and landed just wide. Williams won 6-3 6-1 at 14:45 BST (second set 26m, match 56m).

Virginia Wade: "Warm appreciation from the crowd, although it wasn't a sensational match. Serena Williams's tennis was absolutely top notch: very few errors, crunching the serve, crunching the returns, and being very alert, ready move forward when she needed to, and generally overwhelming."
Chris Bradnam: "Under an hour - much to think about for Hantuchová on her way back from injury and up the rankings."

Statistics

Warning: the following statistics may cause embarrassment.

Williams had a W:UE ratio of 28:12 to Daniela's 8:13 (including a disastrous 1:8 for the second set).

Williams won an impressive 16 of 18 points at the net (89%, including a perfect 10 of 10 in the second set), while Daniela won only 2 of 3 (67%). It's hard to go to the net when you're being overpowered, but maybe Daniela should have forced herself to go there more often - this is grass, after all, and Daniela's long limbs give her excellent reach.

Williams served considerably faster than Daniela in all departments: fastest 119-106 mph, average first serve 110-101 mph, average second serve 93-88 mph.

Williams served 7 aces and one double fault, Daniela one ace and 3 double faults.

Daniela got 76% of her first serves in, but won only 49% of the points when she did so, and 27% on second serve. And her winning-percentages deteriorated from (56%, 40%) for the first set to (42%, 17%) for the second.

Williams got 54% of her first serves in, winning 91% of the points when she did so, and 58% on second serve. Her winning-percentages improved from (87%, 50%) for the first set to (100%, 71%) for the second.

Put another way: Daniela won only 43% of the points on her own serve, and only 24% on the serve of Williams.

Daniela had only one BP (at 1-3* in the first set), but at least she converted it. Williams broke 5 times from 9 BPs, winning the first set by 2 breaks to 1, and the second by 3 breaks to 0.

In points, Williams won 57-30 (first set 29-19 second set 28-11).

Daniela's press-conference

Q. How do you feel you played today?

DANIELA HANTUCHOVÁ: Oh, I mean: it was tough. The ball was coming obviously very, very fast back to my side, and I thought she played an unbelievable match. She was serving huge and returning unbelievable.
            I mean: out of all the matches I've played against her, I think this was one of her best performances.

Q. Is she playing well enough, do you think, to win the tournament?

DANIELA HANTUCHOVÁ: I mean: it's tough to say, obviously, because every match is different, but if she keeps playing like she did today, I think she's got a very, very good chance. Again, she just showed how good she is on grass especially.

Q. Were you pleased with the way you were playing, or did you not... do you feel like you didn't have a chance to play your game because she was controlling the points?

DANIELA HANTUCHOVÁ: In the first set, I felt like I had some chances, and obviously - I thought I didn't start badly. I didn't think I was doing too many things wrong. But she always had a better answer to everything.
            Basically, that was the key. Then obviously I felt more pressure, and I felt like I had to do something extra, and that's when the mistakes came.

Q. Are you pleased with making it to the fourth round?

DANIELA HANTUCHOVÁ: Oh, yeah, definitely. I think I had a great tournament, considering how I felt before the tournament. I never thought I would make it all the way to the second week. Obviously very pleased, and yeah, today was a tough match, but overall, I think it was a very good tournament for me.

Q. Sorry, I'm not familiar with - you referred to how you were feeling.

DANIELA HANTUCHOVÁ: I was sick.

Q. Oh, illness?

DANIELA HANTUCHOVÁ: Yeah.

Q. There was that stretch there from late in the first set to early in the second, where she won a long stretch of points in a row. Is that something that then gets into your mind when you're playing, that you realise...

DANIELA HANTUCHOVÁ: I didn't really realise that, no. I was playing it one point at a time, so I didn't really think of the score or anything. But obviously it was very tough for me.

Williams's press-conference (abridged)

Q. Pretty workmanlike today?

SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah. I was definitely out there not to stay out too long, and do just the best I could do, whether it was win or lose.

Q. How was the heat?

SERENA WILLIAMS: I'm a Florida-girl, so I was totally fine with the heat.

Q. Is the court playing a little quicker because of that, do you think?

SERENA WILLIAMS: Uhm, I think it would play a little quicker. But grass is always really fast for me, so it was pretty much the same.

Q. How would you assess your performance overall? You haven't dropped a set yet in four matches. Pretty decent, huh?

SERENA WILLIAMS: Well, I've been solid. I definitely have been solid and playing, uhm, consistent. Obviously there's always room for improvement in my game.
            Definitely felt like I could have served a little better today. You know, just going with that.

<snip>

Q. You came in with a stat-sheet. What are the one or two most important stats that you look at after a match?

SERENA WILLIAMS: I haven't been able to look at it yet. I just wanted to see how long I was out there. It was less than an hour.

Q. General perspective?

SERENA WILLIAMS: Unforced errors, first-serve percentage. Mostly unforced errors, because that's not fun to hit a lot of errors.

<snip>

Q. When you're on a roll like you were from the end of the first set through the start of the second today, are you aware you won x number of points in a row? Is there a feeling that you might not lose another point the way you were playing?

SERENA WILLIAMS: I was aware of that today. Usually, I'm never aware of that. I just thought, "Okay, I broke at 40/Love; I held at 40/Love." I thought, "Hmm, did I win the first set when it was over?" I don't know, I was thinking, "How many points did I win?"
            I was aware for the first time I think in my career that I was on a winning-streak.

Q. Once you've become aware of that, are you thinking, "Let's see how long I can keep this going?"

SERENA WILLIAMS: I don't like to be aware of it, because it's like, "Okay, I don't want to miss." I think I get a little tight. So, you know, I just not - it was good when I lost a point, because it just immediately left my mind.

Q. You're three rounds from winning this thing. This is usually the lock-in time for Serena Williams. Do you feel that? Do you feel you're gonna step it up here, or that you need to? What goes through your mind at this late stage of a Slam?

SERENA WILLIAMS: I feel like I definitely need to step it up, play better, really start playing some great tennis, or go home. And I don't want to go home, so I feel like, you know, I'm just getting more serious.

Q. Sounds like you're not really that pleased with how you've played so far.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, uhm, like I said, I feel like I can play better. I know I can. So the fact that I actually know I can get to a higher level is good for me.

Q. Do you need someone to push you to find that next gear?

SERENA WILLIAMS: Maybe I just need an espresso.

Q. There's been some controversy about the Wimbledon playing-committee perhaps picking players for their looks rather than their tennis-talent on Centre Court. They are saying that good looks are a factor with who plays on Centre Court. What do you think about that, as an extremely accomplished tennis-player who should be on Centre Court?

SERENA WILLIAMS: Well, I think Roger's hot, but he's married, so...

Q. What do you think about it in regards to the female tennis-players, though?

SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, I have no comment on that actually. <smiling>

Q. Do you think it's sexist?

SERENA WILLIAMS: For why?

Q. To put good-looking female players on Centre Court - doesn't matter whether they're ranked 45th.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Like I said, I have no comment on that.

Q. Does this feel like the Williams-sisters' tournament to lose? You have won seven of the last nine [Wimbledons].

SERENA WILLIAMS: Definitely to lose. I feel like if I lose it on my racquet, if I'm not playing well, if I don't do the right things, I definitely lose it on my racquet.

<snip>

Articles

Awesome Serena through [Teletext 495->498]
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Serena Williams showed her title-credentials as she overpowered Slovakian Daniela Hantuchová to reach the quarter-finals at Wimbledon.

Hantuchová's challenge faded in the second set as Williams completely overwhelmed her, and won it 6-1 to set up a clash with Victoria Azarenka.
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Serena in a hurry [Teletext 498]
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Serena Williams revealed she wanted to get through her Wimbledon fourth-round clash against Daniela Hantuchová as soon as possible in the soaring heat.

The second seed said: "I was definitely out there not to stay out too long, and just do the best I could do, whether it was win or lose."
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Serena hoping to improve her game [CEEFAX 494]
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Serena Williams beat Daniela Hantuchová, and then said she hoped to improve.

"And I don't want to go home, so I'm just getting more serious. The fact that I actually know I can get to a higher level is good for me."
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Serena scorches through (www.wimbledon.org)
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Week 2 of The Championships, and the Williams-sisters are gathering pace as they head towards the final and, possibly, another family-affair.

So far, Williams has dropped just 20 games on her way to the quarter-finals.
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Serena Williams reaches Wimbledon quarter-finals (AP)
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Serena Williams has reached the Wimbledon quarter-finals after defeating Daniela Hantuchová 6-3 6-1.

Williams is looking for her third Wimbledon-title after winning here in 2002-03. She lost last year's final to her sister Venus.
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Serena joins Venus in last eight at Wimbledon (AFP)
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Serena Williams warned sister Venus that she is ready to turn up the heat on the defending champion after sweeping into the Wimbledon quarter-finals with a 6-3 6-1 victory over Daniela Hantuchová on Monday.

"I was thinking, 'How many points did I win?' I was aware for the first time I think in my career that I was on a winning-streak."
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Safina through under roof (Reuters)
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Second seed Serena Williams wasted little time in joining sister Venus in the quarter-finals with a 6-3 6-1 demolition of unseeded Slovak Daniela Hantuchová.

She raced to the opening set in just 30 minutes, before Hantuchová's game folded completely in the second, and she clinched victory after just 56 minutes when the Slovak sent a forehand on the run wide.
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Serena just getting started (Reuters)
By Neil Maidment (editing by Miles Evans)
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If Serena Williams's rivals were not already fiercely aware of the threat she poses at this year's Wimbledon, they will now - after she greeted a destruction of Daniela Hantuchová with a pledge to pick up her game.

Unperturbed by the threat of Hantuchová, Serena's father Richard Williams spent the second set contentedly tapping away on his phone, having already watched daughter Venus win against Serb Ana Invanovic earlier on Monday.
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Serena Williams pounds Daniela Hantuchová into submission (Kevin Garside, The Daily Telegraph - UK)
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It was not Serena's fault any more than it was Daniela's. Nature decreed this a mismatch before a ball was hit. We know where this ends: in a fourth family-final on Saturday.

"I've been solid. There is always room for improvement in my game," Williams said. "I need to start playing some great tennis or go home. And I don't want to go home."
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Serene Serena breezes past Hantuchová to reach last eight (The Daily Mail - UK)
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Serena Williams joined sister Venus in the quarter-finals with a stroll against Daniela Hantuchová.

Williams also held serve, and then broke again in the seventh game when Hantuchová sent a forehand wide, to clinch the win.
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