Lucky loser Lesia Tsurenko defeated Barbora Strycova 6-3, 6-0 in an hour and ten minutes to advance to the quarterfinal of the 2015 Connecticut Open.
Crucial Service Break for Tsurenko Helps Her Take the Opening Set
The match was very straightforward for the server in the opening three games, as both women held their serve rather comfortably. It wasn’t until the fourth game that the first break point opportunities for either player came about. In that game, Tsurenko was unable to take her first two opportunities but it was third time lucky for the Ukrainian as she broke Strycova’s serve to take a 3-1 lead.
However, Tsurenko was unable to consolidate the early break as a few costly errors gave Strycova the break back. During the changeover, light rain began to fall but it wasn’t enough to suspend play. After the ball boys and ball girls helped clean up the court, both players managed to hold their next respective service games to keep the first set on serve.
Now up 4-3, the Ukrainian the number two sensed it was her chance to break her Czech counterpart’s serve once again. It took three tries again, but Tsurenko was able to get a crucial break of serve to go up 5-3 in the first set. Could she consolidate the break now?
The answer was yes. The Ukrainian was too solid for the Czech and she was untroubled by Strycova’s variety, for the most part. Tsurenko won the opening set, 6-3.
Tsurenko Dominates Second Set
In the second set, Strycova’s woes continued as Lesia was like a brick wall. Refusing to give much away, the lucky loser was making the most of her spot in the main draw, breaking in the opening game of the set. This time, she was able to consolidate the break once again, just like she did at the end of the opening set.
Now up 2-0, Tsurenko was in control of this match. She had won the last five games of this encounter and she made that six with a break to love off of Strycova’s serve to go up a set and a double break. Could Strycova fight back?
Unfortunately for the Czech number four, nothing seemed to be working for Strycova. With some groundstrokes that were measured to perfection, Tsurenko was able to consolidate the double break advantage. Minutes later, the lucky loser found herself with two break points to go up a triple break in this second set. At the second bite of the cherry, she did just that as she went up a sizeable 5-0 lead in the second set. Strycova tried to get some momentum but in the end, it was too little, too late.
Tsurenko held her serve to win the match, 6-3, 6-0 to advance to her third quarterfinal of the 2015 season. She will face the winner of the match between her compatriot Olga Savchuk, and fifth seeded Karolina Pliskova on Thursday. Stay tuned for that coverage here at VAVEL Tennis.