Let me get this straight. She changes her racquet, she changes her racquet bag, and she decides not to wear a visor.
BUT SHE KEEPS WEARING THAT CURSED ADIDAS EDGE OUTFIT?!?!?!?!
The good news is that AI reportedly (I didn't see the match as I was conked out by 9pm) found her form in the second set, winning 61. The bad news is that she let a stupid bathroom break distract her and she lost her momentum and dropped the last set 26.
Here's my thing about bathroom breaks and injury timeouts. No one should be complaining about them or blaming them for a loss. The fact is that if you think you lost because your opponent basically called a timeout during a crucial moment (i.e., icing the kicker in football, or calling a TO before crucial free throws in soccer) you're an idiot.
Not that Ana did that here. At least, not as far as I know, since I haven't seen her presser or post match comments. But her website took a swipe at Petrova, which I thought was unnecessary:
Ana struggled with her timing in the opening set as the big-serving Russian denied her any rhythm. The 20-year-old's lack of match practice was all too evident as she found herself outrallied by Petrova.
The second set was an altogether different story, as Ana found her form spectacularly. She got on top early and stayed there, pounding a succession of forehand winners and slamming down three aces.
Predictably, Petrova proceeded to take a bathroom break immediately before the deciding set. Any momentum that Ana had at that time evaporated thanks to her opponent's questionable sportsmanship, although the Russian did not act outside the rules.
When she returned to the court after a five-minute delay, she broke Ana in the opening game and continued to pressurise the youngster. Eventually Ana succumbed after an hour and 41 minutes.
"I tried to dominate but I was making too many mistakes," said Ana afterwards.
"I played better in the second set but she served well in the third and was able to play at her pace.
"On the positive side I am just happy to be back, injury-free. I need to play more matches and really get back into the rhythm."
Don't get me started on the use of "pressurise".
Not a surprising result in opinion. No match play, coming off a horrible season and injury, with a lot of pressure and expectation. Kid needs to learn from Masha and learn how to block that crap out and just play her game. I still think she'll find her form heading into the YECs.
In other news, hey! New racquet!
Well, on to Beijing.
