Both of these players had to guard against a letdown following there three-set wins on Wednesday. Maleeva had been pushed to the limit against lucky loser Francesca Lubiani, having to really fight to win it 6-4 in the 3rd. Sawamatsu, meanwhile, merely scored the biggest upset of her career over #2 seed Iva Majoli. She won the toss, chose to serve, and did so impressively, holding at 15. Sawmatsu next went up 30-40, but Maleeva went ahead to win the game by belting a backhand winner. Sawamatsu really struggled in the next game, serving up two double faults in a break. It was a far cry from her second round effort, which had moved Majoli to say, "I never saw Naoko serve this well. She didn't make any double faults."
Maleeva added a double fault of her own in the next game, but won the rest of the points to go up 3-1. Sawmatsu got to 3-2 with a hold and 3-3 with a rather easy break. She didn't exactly capitalize well, making three straight errors to get behind 0-40. Maleeva in turn got very wild with her backhand, though, and Sawamatsu came all the way back to hold for 4-3. When Maleeva was broken for 5-3, it looked like she was on her way to losing a first set for the second day in a row. She really came to life in Game 9, though, smacking three backhand winners for 15-40 and breaking on another Sawamatsu double fault. An easy hold from the Bulgarian evened the set at 5 games all.
Sawamatsu played a simply ugly service game after that -- double fault, netted backhand, backhand volley error, and wide forehand added up to an easy break for Maleeva. Maleeva added to her fortunes with a nifty overhead drop shot for a 15-0 lead. She almost added an ace on the very next point, but it was called wide. Maggie couldn't believe it, asking the lineswoman, "How can you do this to me? Please. Do you see a mark? No?". She would go ahead 40-15 anyway, but lose the first set point on a mis-hit backhand and the second on a high forehand into the net. Sawamatsu finally returned the favor, though, a forehand error on set point #3 giving the frame to Maleeva 7-5.
Another untimely double fault got Sawamatsu down 15-30, but she came back to win the next three points; the last was a forehand which appeared to pass the baseline by about a foot, but there was no call (Maggie simply stared in disbelief). Naoko added a break for 2-0 and held at love with an ace. Up 3-0 in the second, Sawamatsu was apparetly going to make Maleeva work for this one. Maleeva was up to the challenge, though, using two winners an ace to get to 3-1 and breaking back for 3-2. Maleeva kept the run going with an ace ending a 15 hold. Sawmatsu thendid her part in continuing the streak, committing three errors and a double fault to get behind 4-3.
Sawamatsu tried to battle right back with a break, going ahead 15-40. She lost thefirst break point by missing a forehand volley, though, and the second also disappeared when Maleeva punished a short ball with a forehand cross-court winner. Maleeva got the ad wth an ace and finished the game by bending way down for a backhand winner, clenching her fist as it landed good. After winning the last four games of the first set, Maleeva had won five games in a row to come within one game of the victory. Sawamatsu just couldn't get anything going -- she put a backhand in the net for 0-30, prompting an inspired Maleeva to pump her first and yell. Sawamatsu then double faulted (again!) to bring up triple match point.
Maleeva lost the first match point with a long backhand and the second with a long forehand. She didn't like the line call on that second one in the least. Burned by the same lineswoman she spoke to near the end of the first set, Maleeva this time said "Thank you, thank you. Try not to do it again; it's match point." Unfortunately for her, Sawamatsu got to deuce with a big forehand and finally held for 5-4. The 24-year-old from Japan was finally back on track. She whipped a Maleeva firstserve back for a return winner to take a 15-30 lead in the set's tenth game. She sent a forehand wide for 30-30, though, and got down match point again when another forehand caught the tape and landed wide. Maleeva would leave no doubt this time -- a sizzling backhand cross-court passing shot put a bow on the 7-5, 6-4 win. Putting together one of her best weeks of the season, Magdalena Maleeva returned to the du Maurier Open quarterfinals.
Kijimuta/Miyagi vs. Likhovtseva/Sugiyama
Court 10Doubles: 3rd Round
Judging by the score updates I was getting early in this match, it certainly was topsy-turvy. The #7 seeds got off to a 4-1 lead, but Likhovtseva/Sugiyama stormed right back to win the set 6-4. Naoko and Nana went up 3-0 in the second, but Elena and Ai had narrowed the gap to 4-3 when I arrived. Down 40-30 in the next game, Likhovtseva hit what appeared to be a swinging volley winner. Kijimuta and Miyagi screamed "out!", however, and the lineswoman finally agreed. The lone Russian in the otherwise all-Japanese match briefly protetsed, but the umpire replied that she would have called it out anyway. Sugiyama was then broken at love to complete a 6-3 set. A spot in the quarterfinals was now up for grabs in one final set.
Upon hooking up last fall, Naoko Kijimuta and Nana Miyagi quickly became one of the most consistent doubles teams on the WTA Tour. They communicate well between points and during the changeovers, Nana's happy-go-lucky personality keeping Naoko loose. They won the opening game of the third set and took a 0-30 lead when Likhovtseva hit a forehand long. Elena argued again, but the chair umpire explained, "I was blocked; I don't know." Likhovtseva and Sugiyama got back from 15-40 to deuce, but Likhovtseva sent a backhand long and banged her racquet on the court twice. Another backhand error followed, to make it 2-0. Miyagi then held at 30 for a 3-0 edge.
Sugiyama's first serve in the next game caught the tape and was ruled a let. Miyagi thought it landed wide, however. She smiled and condascendingly asked the chair umpire, "You couldn't see that one? It was very slow." At 30-30, Miyagi aand Kijimuta each hit volley winners to tack on another break for a 4-0 lead. Kijimuta was broken right after that, however, losing the game when Miyagi made such a hideous attempt at a reflex volley that even she giggled about it. A long game followed, Likhovtseva banging her racquet again after one of several errors in a break for 5-1. Elena redeemed herself in the next game, though. She kept a break point alive with two incredible defensive volleys and won it with a swinging backhand volley winner.
Kijimuta was ready to finish the match in the eighth game. She whacked a smah for 0-15 and a volley winner for 0-30. Two Likhovtseva volley winners got the underdogs back to 30-30. The Russian then threw up a lob which Kijimuta and Miyagi each incorrectly assumed the other would take. Kijimuta did a nice job of getting it back at the last second, but they were on the defensive for the rest of the point and got down 40-30. Sugiyama double faulted for deuce, though, and Kijimuta handled a high forehand volley to earn match point. A terrific rally followed, all four players making great shots before Likhovtseva dumped a backhand volley in the net to lose the match 4-6, 6-3, 6-2.
Arendt/Bollegraf vs. Carlsson/Hy-Boulais
Court 1Doubles: 2nd Round
As doubles matches go, you'd think this would be a pretty big draw. Nicole Arendt and Manon Bollegraf were the #2 seeds and Patricia Hy-Boulais, the only Canadian left in either draw, was coming off a Wedneasday night Centre Court win with partner Asa Carlsson. However, the stands were virtually empty when this one got underway. The stands would fill up before long, but the fans didn't have to be late by long -- an Arendt break and a Carlsson hold made it 2-0 after about three minutes. Arendt and Bollegraf came right back, though, getting to 2-2 when Hy-Boulais netted a smash. Arendt and Carlsson holds followed for 3-3.
Bollegraf took a 40-0 lead in Game 7, but made two double faults in a row for 40-30. The next point was a thriller, Carlsson and Hy-Boulais making great gets on smashes before Patricia finished the rally with a winning smash of her own. A Carlsson volley winner and Arendt volley error ended the break. Hy-Boulais backed it up, holding at 15 for a surprising 5-3 lead. Carlsson earned set point with a backhand volley winner, but Arendt stormed back to hold for 5-4. Asa was then broken for 5-5. Bollegraf and Hy-Boulais each had some trouble in their holds, but each succeeded to force a tiebreak.
Arendt got the tiebreak off to a roaring start with an ace. A Bollegraf service winner made it 3-1. The crowd favorites didn't fold, though. An overhead and a service winner from Hy-Boulais gave her a 4-3 lead, which was extended to 6-3 when Arendt and Bollegraf each missed volleys. Bollegraf didn't like that one bit, smacking the ball WAY out of the court to earn a ball abuse warning. Arendt missed a forehand on the next point to lose the first set in a 7-3 tiebreak. Bollegraf netted a backhand in the first game of the second set to get down 40-15. She was thinking one point ahead, though, and walked over to her chair. Manon realized her error and turned around to find Nic laughing at her. She might have been better off sitting down, though -- a wide backhand from Bollegraf on the very next point made it 1-0.
A backhand from Hy-Boulais on break point in the following game clipped the tape and dropped for a lucky winner. The point of the match came with Carlsson up 40-30 in the next game. Hy-Boulais made a pair of eye-opening reflex volleys to keep the rally going. Bollegraf appeared to win it anyway by hitting a perfectly angled drop volley. Carlsson sprinted to the sideline at full speed, though, and jumped as she hit a forehand winner down the line to take a 3-0 lead. Arendt held for 3-1 and Hy-Boulais was about to do likewise up 40-30. The 31-year-old essentially broke herself, though, missing three volleys in a row to get the set back on serve at 3-2.
Carlsson and Hy-Boulais would not be deterred, though. Up 15-40 on Bollegraf's serve, Carlsson hit a forehand volley winner to break for a 4-2 lead. Yet another break followed, though, Bollegraf hitting a smash to get the ad and Arendt hitting a forehand return winner down the line for 4-3. At 40-30 in the eighth game, Arendt and Hy-Boulais hit volleys back and forth until Arendt put one away for 4-4. Hy-Boulais continued to sink her chances, double faulting for 0-40 and being broken at love with a backhand volley into the net. Now Bollegraf had a chance to serve out the set. Arendt hit a smash for 30-15 and sat down in her chair to tease her partner. Arendt followed with another smash and a backhand volley winner to complete the second set comeback. They took it 6-4 and prepared for a decisive third set.
There's no big secret to the success enjoyed by Nicole Arendt and Manon Bollegraf. They usually serve well and they usually volley well. They didn't for much of the first set and a half here, but now they were finding the rhythm. Bollegraf netted a couple easy volleys to end the opening game of the third set, though. A rather bizarre delay followed -- Nicole left for a bathroom break at the same time as Manon took an injury timeout for a foot blister. The break seemed to work out well for the #2 seeds. Arendt held at love for 1-1, Hy-Boulais lost the third game on a double fault for 2-1, and Bollegraf held at 15 for 3-1.
At deuce in Game 5, a Bollegraf smash and an Arendt forehand winner completed another break for a 4-1 score. Arendt then finished up a 30 hold with an ace for 5-1. When Hy-Boulais threw in her latest double fault to trail 15-30, it looked like she and Carlsson were doomed. They won the next three points, though, to hang on for 5-2. Bollegraf also held at 30, though, winning the match when Carlsson netted a forehand. There were plenty of nervous moments in this one for Nicole Arendt and Manon Bollegraf, but they put it together in the second half to earn a 6-7, 6-4, 6-2 victory.
Basuki/Vis vs. Grossman/Habsudova
Court 10Doubles: 2nd Round
After an impressive win in the first round, Yayuk Basuki and Caroline Vis picked right up where they left off -- a Vis hold, a break of Grossman, and a Basuki hold gave them the first three games of the match. Habsudova and Vis were both forced to deuce but got holds, a forehand volley winner by Basuki making it 4-1. Grossman had to fight off a break point in the sixth game and was less than pleased with one missed volley in particular (chiding herself for "nice footwork"), but came through for 4-2. The points were simply coming easier for the #6 seeds. Basuki finished the seventh game with a service winner and an ace. After Habsudova battled back from 15-30 to hold, it was 5-3.
I was pretty sure Vis would serve out the set here, but Grossman and Habsudova had other ideas. Ann's forehand winner up the middle made it 15-40 and a break came on the next point when Basuki was forced into an error. Serving with new balls, Grossman took a 40-0 lead in her effort to extend the set. Basuki and Vis winners made it 40-30. A strong Basuki return forced a Grossman miscue for deuce. A wide Grossman backhand very nearly hit me up in the third row for the ad. A Vis forehand winner ended the break. Just like that, the set was over -- 6-4 for Basuki/Vis. Yayuk then exploded with three aces in a hold to open set number two.
Still not yet broken in this match, Habsudova held at 30 for 1-1. Early in the next game, Grossman and Habsudova found themselves both standing on the same sideline as a winner sailed past into the wide open court. They looked at each other and laughed. Ann and Karina have not had all that much success as a doubles team, but they obviously have a good time together. This match was entertaining for both the high quality play and the sense that all four players were -- for the most part -- having a good time. Not enjoying herself in game 3 was Caroline Vis, who broke herself with a double fault and a volley error. Grossman followed with a love hold to take a 3-1 lead.
Basuki added her latest ace in a hold for 3-2. Habsudova had her most difficult service game, but hit a nice shoestring forehand volley down the line on her way to 4-2. Grossman and Habsudova squandered four break points in the following game, but finally did break Vis when Grossman hit a topspin lob for an uncontested winner. Ann raised her arms in relieved triumph and walked to her chair with a 5-2 second set lead. She then came back out and held at 30, winning the 6-2 set when a Basuki return landed in the net. The American/Slovakian team was now one set away from a would-be upset. Karina Habsudova had been particularly impressive to this point, displaying fine touch which is all too often lacking in her singles game.
The pressure was on Basuki to open with a hold and she sure did deliver -- her latest ace and a service winner completed the love game. Habsudova then lost serve for the first time, Basuki converting the second break chance with a forehand return winner. A string of easy holds followed: Vis at love for 3-0; Grossman at 15 for 3-1; Basuki at love for 4-1; Habsudova at 15 for 4-2. Grossman's game came apart at the seams in game #8. She called herself "so slow" after one error and squealed after another. A Grossman forehand return into the net ended the Vis hold for 5-2. The eighth game went to deuce, but Basuki took the ad with a smash and Vis sealed the deal with a nice running forehand winner. Basuki and Vis had dodged a bullet -- 6-4, 2-6, 6-2.
After the match ended, a kid stood behind Habsudova's chair and uttered the mildly creepy sentence "Can I have something of yours?". Karina ignored that entreaty, so he got more specific -- "Can I have your headband?". "I shouldn't," she replied. He finally struck gold, though, asking for her towel. That she happily tossed his way before leaving. In fact, all but one player I've seen asked for a towel this week has accomodated. The one exception: after her first round singles win over Elena Likhovtseva, Anne Miller was asked for a towel. She asked the chair umpire if it would be OK. The umpire told her no -- officials are like that -- so Miller apologetically declined.
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