Hantuchova is All Smiles
Hantuchova is All Smiles
Tuesday, June 22, 2004
What a difference a year has made for Daniela Hantuchova. The Slovakian girl
who exited Wimbledon in the second round in a flood of tears 12 months ago
emerged a smiling winner of her delayed first round match against the
Californian Samantha Reeves 6-1, 6-4.
In 73 minutes of brisk, businesslike tennis, she confirmed her return from
the traumas of 2003, when she slipped out of the top 50 and had problems in
her personal life and with weight loss.
Now happily returned to normality and keen on getting her ranking back to
where it ought to be, Hantuchova followed her runner-up place at Eastbourne
last weekend with another hard-hitting, impressive show that was far too much
for the 92nd ranked Reeves. In attempting to beef up her serve to restrict
Hantuchova's firepower on the return, the American committed nine
double-faults.
Two of these came in the opening game and gave Hantuchova the lift-off she
was looking for. There was another next time Reeves served and the Slovakian
was in command of the first set, extending her lead to 4-0 before Reeves
could get a look in. Even when the American managed to assemble a few decent
shots, the number of lucky net cords enjoyed by Hantuchova indicated that it
was clearly going to be her day.
She wrapped up the first set in 34 minutes, having struck 15 winners to
Reeves' seven, but was forced to dig deeper in the second set when Reeves
secured what proved to be her only service break to lead 3-2 with a fine
volley. Hantuchova did the best thing in the circumstances, breaking back
immediately, which clearly disheartened Reeves.
The double-faults kept coming as Reeves attempted to stay in the fight, and
another pair in the tenth game of the second set took Hantuchova to her first
match point. She needed no further invitation, punching away a forehand
volley which meant that this year, unlike last, there were broad smiles.
Hantuchova said after the game: "I feel really great and really happy to be
back. And I have totally put the last year behind me."
Written by Ronald Atkin
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---禪心已作沾泥絮，莫向春風舞鷓鴣---
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