Unfortunately Sara didn’t succeed in taking her second Singles title of the year today. Even fighting through a clenched first set and a heated second, Anna Schmiedlova managed to have her payback for Rio.
Just like the other season final played on Brasilian clay, the Slovakian set off with a sprint to get a 5-2 lead but once again Sara stayed right behind her and patiently waited for her chance in the tie-break. It didn’t go like in Rio though. The odds seemed all to favor Schmiedlova this time and even though the Top-seeded tried to step her game up during the second set – like she did against Monica Niculescu – it didn’t have the same outcome this evening. Final score: 7-6(3), 6-3.
“She played a great match, I got to give her credit, well done. I couldn’t help but keep playing the very same points, I didn’t have my mind clear. I tried to stay calm and consistent but she kept pushing every shot and there are very few things you can do whenever your opponent plays like this.”
“It was just like Rio’s final: she had a set point but then I played very well in the tie-break so that I could break her confidence and have an easier second set. I have had my chances to clinch her at 5-5 but I have failed. If had got that 6-5 game maybe it would have ended the same way today (Ndr. Indeed, Schmiedlova herself said she was facing her Brasilian demons during that game).”
“This particular type of balls mixed with this clay gives hitters a remarkable advantage to play their game, nevertheless I got to give her credit for the great performace. I would be travelling to Bad Gastein tomorrow and I hope that – unlike the last edition – they have found a way to protect the courts from the rain since the forecast is already said to be quite bad for the whole week“.
