Sofia Shapatava did her best against former world No.9 Andrea Petkovic but lost 6:7 (4:7), 5:7 in the first round of Challenger Series which is under way in the city of India, Pune. Sofia was winning 5:2 in the first set.
The match lasted two hours and 11 minutes. 23-year-old Georgian tennis player had 48% on the first serve. She used only 63%. On the second serve she won 44% of balls.
Shapatava served one ace, made three double faults. Her opponent served 3 aces and made 4 double faults. The Georgian used 4 from 12 break-points. Petkovic made 5 from 14 breaks. Overall Sofia earned 88 points and Andrea – 100.
After the match, Petkovic wrote the following in her blog on the official website of WTA: “It was a really tough match tonight. The center court is faster than the practice court, and I did not get a chance to practice on the center court, so at first it was difficult to adjust. And my opponent, Sofia Shapatava, was playing very well and very aggressively. I also did not know her at all - last year I knew every girl and what was coming, but since I was out almost one year, there are a lot of young girls I do not know. And I was really impressed with how she played.
So all of that put me under a lot of pressure, but it is good for me - the tough challenges make you better - and I always believe you are better at a tournament after a tough match rather than when you win 61 61, so it is okay. I like it”.
Oksana Kalashnikova achieved success in the first round of “Royal Indian Open”. She played against Monique Adamczak of Australia. The match lasted one hour and half. The Georgian won 7:5, 6:3. Oksana earned 22 ranking points. In 1/8 final she will play against No.3 seed Donna Vekic of Croatia.
In case of beating Vekic, Kalashnikova will earn 44 points. Semifinalists of “Royal Indian Open” will earn 85 points, finalists – 117 points and winner will gain 160 points and 20 000 USD.
The Georgian girls do not play together in doubles draw. Kalashnikova and Bratchikova are No.2 seed duet and will play against the host duet (Bhosale-Thombare). Shapatava and Anushka Bhargava of India will play against Japanese tennis players - Date-Krumm and Nara.
