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Vaidisova finds some va-va-voom |
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www.wimbledon.com Despite trailing 0-2 in the pair’s head-to-head record, eighth seed Chakvetadze, 21, was the more assured player for most of the first two sets, as an erratic Vaidisova struggled to stay in the rallies beyond the third or fourth strike. However, the 19-year-old Czech’s powerful first serve kept her in the hunt, helping save four break points in the second game. The contest moved with serve until 5-4, when the more consistent Chakvetadze sent a deft backhand skimming crosscourt to establish set point. She secured the opening set without too much more effort as a Vaidisova forehand strayed several feet long. The second set followed a similar pattern, with neither player able to make a breakthrough in the early stages. Ominously, though, Chakvetadze began to twist and shout in frustration at her errors, despite keeping her nose ahead as the player serving first. Indeed, three missed returns saw Vaidisova relinquish the second of two break points – her first of the match – to allow Chakvetadze to hold for 5-4. But, down game point on Vaidisova’s serve in the next game, an attempted backhand drop shot on the return of serve hinted at the panic that was about to hijack the Russian’s campaign. Although she saved a break point to hold for 6-5, Chakvetadze had a string of backhand errors by her opponent to thank. Two further failed attempts at backhand drop-shot returns in Vaidisova’s next service game sent proceedings into a tie-break. There, the Russian suffered an extraordinary collapse of composure and form, risking self-inflicted injury as she admonished, stamped and contorted her body in frustration. Vaidisova needed to do little to move to a 4-0 lead, but backed up a neat return crosscourt with two aces to clinch the tie-break without giving up a point. The momentum remained with the Czech in the decider. She broke for 2-0 on a Russian double fault, and held for 3-0 courtesy of a forehand winner. The Russian recovered a degree of equilibrium and some of her form long enough to save four break points to get on the scoreboard at 1-3, and held serve twice more with desperate scrambling, but it was too little, too late. With Vaidisova serving for the match, two net cords fell the Czech’s way, the first drawing a wild forehand error from Chakvetadze, the second dropping dead on the Russian’s side of the net. A Russian backhand found the net on the second match point, sending Vaidisova through to the last eight, where she faces China’s Zheng Jie. “I made the quarters here last year and to be here again is so exciting,” said Vaidisova, who only ended a six-match losing streak two weeks ago in Birmingham. With an eye on a return to the top 10, the former world No. 7 added: “I’m working on it. Just practicing every day, communicating with my coach. I think it’s finally paying off.” Although disappointed by her failure to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals for the first time, and left to rue the unlucky net cords she felt contributed to the loss, Chakvetadze – who left No.1 Court in tears – was later gracious in defeat. “She’s a good player and deserved her win today,” the Russian said. “I didn’t take my opportunities in the second set, but she served really well and it was tough to return.” |
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