In what was their first ever meeting, Kristina Mladenovic was tested by 19-year-old Natalia Vikhlyantseva in the second round at the Ricoh Open. The qualifier shook off a nervy start to bounce back strongly to edge the first set. Mladenovic regrouped though to even the match at one set apiece. And even though the Frenchwoman let slip the lead she had in the deciding set, she was able to finish off in the end to advance to the quarterfinals with a 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 victory.

Vikhlyantseva gets the better of Mladenovic after a nervy start

Mladenovic got an early break and consolidated with ease for a 2-0 lead. Vikhlyantseva eventually held her nerves to get on board for 1-2. The Russian seemed to have grown into the game needing just 90 seconds to close out her next game to stay within touch of Mladenovic. The comfortable service holds continued for both players as they cruised through their games.

However, the Frenchwoman fired a couple of errors and a double fault to hand a triple break point to Vikhlyantseva in the seventh game. Despite looking rattled by the noise from the crowd, Mladenovic regrouped using her big serves to save all three of them. The Russian had another chance to break back but the Frenchwoman hit a drop shot under pressure to survive once again. It was turning out to the longest game of the set thus far as Mladenovic just wasn’t able to find a way to close out the game with the Russian returning well on second serves. Eventually, she came through in an almost 12-minute game, having to save five break points, to maintain her lead for 5-3. Vikhlyantseva followed up that marathon game with another quick hold to put pressure back on the Frenchwoman who was serving for the set.

Vikhlyantseva wasplaying better as the set progressed | Photo: Ricoh Open
Vikhlyantseva was playing better as the set progressed | Photo: Ricoh Open

Mladenovic’s shot just missed the line as she handed break back point to the Russian in the crucial 10th game. And another error gave the break back to Vikhlyantseva who leveled the set 5-5. The Russian held her game to lead for the first time 6-5. This time, Mladenovic was under pressure as she was serving to stay in the match and she fired wide to give set point to the Russian. And the third seed buckled, sending a double fault to hand the first set to Vikhlyantseva.

Mladenovic levels the match

The Russian carried the momentum for another solid service game at the start of the second set. Mladenovic kept pace and held for 1-1. The Russian then played her worst game in a long time hitting three consecutive double faults to gift the game to Mladenovic. The third seed went on to consolidate comfortably to a 3-1 lead.

Mladenovic seemed to have found her game playing with some authority and earned a break point with a forehand winner. Luckily for the Russian, the net cord came to her rescue. Upping the tempo, the Frenchwoman eventually found the double break as Vikhlyantseva fired long, to extend her lead to 5-2. Again the Russian made it hard for the Frenchwoman and played some terrific shots to get back one of the breaks for 3-5. A sweet drop shot though handed Mladenovic set point on the Russian’s serve and the Frenchwoman converted to level the match.

Intense third set sees Mladenovic prevailing in the end

Mladenovic got off to a perfect start utilizing her drop shots well to get an early break for a 2-0 lead. Vikhlyantseva was not going down without a fight though as she carved for herself a chance to break back in the third game. The Frenchwoman, however, stayed calm to hang on for 3-0.

Mladenovic off to a flying start in the third set | Photo: Ricoh Open
Mladenovic off to a flying start in the third set | Photo: Ricoh Open

Mladenovic’s serves were much better now as she continued to hold on to her lead. The Russian also kept herself in the match as the set progressed. That drop shot which was working for most parts of the match failed the Frenchwoman in the seventh game allowing Vikhlyantseva to capitalize on the opportunity to get back on serve at 3-4.

And the Russian clawed her way back to tie 4-4 in the deciding set. With the Frenchwoman holding her serve next, it was down to Vikhlyantseva to do the same to stay in the match. Her errors cost her though as she presented Mladenovic with set point. And another error from the Russian sealed the match for Mladenovic who will next play another qualifier in Elise Mertens.

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About the author
Pavitra Ganesan
Tennis enthusiast and aspiring journalist.