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Eager Dokic downs robust Rubin
Zurich, Oct 14: Jelena Dokic claimed a morale-boosting victory over fifth seeded American Chanda Rubin at the 1.3 million dollar WTA event here.
Zurich, Oct 14: Jelena Dokic claimed a morale-boosting victory over fifth seeded American Chanda Rubin at the 1.3 million dollar WTA event here.
It was her first win this year over a top 10 opponent.
The struggling Dokic, who has slumped to 25 in the world, won 6-1 5-7 6-4 yesterday but she could have taken the match in straight sets.
Showing an eagerness that has been missing from her game for months, Dokic ripped through the first set with the aid of some pounding groundstrokes that gave Rubin little chance to settle. Out of her chair early at each change of ends, she kept the pressure on her opponent by breaking for 2-0 and again to lead 5-1.
But the player from Serbia and Montenegro then showed early signs of the struggle that was to follow, double-faulting three times in succession and holding off four break points as she served out for the set. In the second set Dokic broke serve on three occasions, the final time to lead 5-4 and serve for the match. But Rubin broke back and the 10th of Dokic's 16 double-faults allowed the American to level at 5-5.
Two more double-faults helped Rubin break again for the set, and even though Dokic swept to a 4-0 lead in the decider she still had trouble closing out the match.
Bureau Report
The struggling Dokic, who has slumped to 25 in the world, won 6-1 5-7 6-4 yesterday but she could have taken the match in straight sets.
Showing an eagerness that has been missing from her game for months, Dokic ripped through the first set with the aid of some pounding groundstrokes that gave Rubin little chance to settle. Out of her chair early at each change of ends, she kept the pressure on her opponent by breaking for 2-0 and again to lead 5-1.
But the player from Serbia and Montenegro then showed early signs of the struggle that was to follow, double-faulting three times in succession and holding off four break points as she served out for the set. In the second set Dokic broke serve on three occasions, the final time to lead 5-4 and serve for the match. But Rubin broke back and the 10th of Dokic's 16 double-faults allowed the American to level at 5-5.
Two more double-faults helped Rubin break again for the set, and even though Dokic swept to a 4-0 lead in the decider she still had trouble closing out the match.
Bureau Report