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Tough and tougher days keep coming at our Sara Errani, who is been suffering from severe flu symptoms – fever, sore throat and headache – but still manages to meet her duties on court and fight to the very last point.
Unluckily for her, no rookie was waiting for her on the other side of the Grandstand’s net – former US Open Singles champion (2011), Samantha Stosur – who has also been the first Top10 defeated in Sara’s carreer during that magic Roland Garros 2012. Even way under her physical possibilities and of course on antibiotics, Sara fought like a warrior as usual. She recovered from Stosur’s early rush and gained 2 chances to go 5-3 up in the first set. Unfortunately the Australian didn’t lose her cool and broke back. Errani is not ok with it, though, and is not willing to let it slip that way. She put every little energy left in her body to fight back and succeeded in level the match, 6-2. That’s when she had to pay for her major effort: as skilled tactician like she is, Sam did capitalize on her better shape and designed every rally to be as long as possible. Final score: 5-7, 6-2, 1-6.
Here is Sara’s post-match comment during press conference:
“I am so embittered right now, I even came here in NYC earlier in order to practice and train to be in the best shape possible for the last Grand Slam tournament of the year. I cared about this. The draw opened up thanks to all those upsets, I know it an incredible opportunity for me to take if it wasn’t for the flu. I’ve been sick for 3 days now.“
“Maybe I should have withdrawn from Doubles as well but I gave my word to Flavia (ndr. Pennetta) and I always keep it. I have been taking antibiotics for 2 days now but it didn’t help me the way I hoped. I still felt dizzy and heavy on court, I was lacking energies and I wasn’t able to react properly. Of course it also affects the tactical side: I am used to play long rallies, that’s my game. On the contrary, I had to avoid it today and forced me to move to the net as much as possible. I tried but it was really hard. Such a pity I had to give up this way.“
On the other hand, our Sarita could count on divine justice as reward for her effort in Singles. In fact, even with her lowest energy level she made it to the Last-16 round in doubles. The n.1 of Italy bit the bullet and waited until the end of the day for her partner Flavia Pennetta to finish her Singles match and step back into the court with her in order to win together against the American duo Muhammed/Sanchez. Final score: 7-6(5), 6-1.
“At least I can be glad for this win in doubles but at the same time I am not satisfied about my daily scheduling. I let the US Open organisation know about my health condition 2 days ago but still I will have to play my 3rd consecutive doubles match tomorrow. I do not feel protected like I am supposed to.”“Once I will be done here, I will move to Asia. I will compete in an International tournament before Wuhan and Beijing. I hope I will be also in Zhuhai for the Masters.“
And again, it is going to be a USA match for our Sara Errani and her partner Pennetta. They will face Spears/Kops-Jones – who got into the round of 16 thanks to a walk-over due to Eugenie Bouchard’s injury – in order to book a spot for US Open quartefinals.
