Schnyder pounds Petrova to reach Bali tennis final
Sunday, 14 September 2008
NUSA DUA, Sept 13 (AFP): Switzerland's Patty Schnyder moved into her second final of the season with a 7-5, 6-1 hammering of Russian Nadia Petrova at the Bali Open Saturday.
The 29-year-old second seed will play either top seed Daniela Hantuchova or Austrian teenager Tamira Paszek as she seeks her 11th career final.
"This was my best match ever at Bali. I'm so happy to be in the final, I'm ready for it," said Schnyder.
Schnyder finished runner-up in Bangalore in February behind Serena Williams and is fresh from a US Open quarter-final last week.
"I served well and moved her around on the court," she said.
"I was able to anticipate her movement. I attacked her second serve and held back a bit on my shots until I saw which way she was moving."
Schnyder earned the first break for a 4-3 lead only to be broken back. She went ahead again 6-5 as Petrova sent over double-fault before serving it out for a one-set lead.
The Swiss took control in the second with two more quick breaks but needed to save break points in the sixth game before reaching 5-1 with her second ace.
Petrova saved three match points before hitting a backhand into the net to hand Schnyder victory after 69 minutes.
The 29-year-old second seed will play either top seed Daniela Hantuchova or Austrian teenager Tamira Paszek as she seeks her 11th career final.
"This was my best match ever at Bali. I'm so happy to be in the final, I'm ready for it," said Schnyder.
Schnyder finished runner-up in Bangalore in February behind Serena Williams and is fresh from a US Open quarter-final last week.
"I served well and moved her around on the court," she said.
"I was able to anticipate her movement. I attacked her second serve and held back a bit on my shots until I saw which way she was moving."
Schnyder earned the first break for a 4-3 lead only to be broken back. She went ahead again 6-5 as Petrova sent over double-fault before serving it out for a one-set lead.
The Swiss took control in the second with two more quick breaks but needed to save break points in the sixth game before reaching 5-1 with her second ace.
Petrova saved three match points before hitting a backhand into the net to hand Schnyder victory after 69 minutes.