Samantha Stosur and Carla Suarez Navarro went head to head this evening at the 2016 Mutua Madrid Open round of 16. Both ladies have had decent years, and they were also both looking to continue their fine form on the slow, red clay.
And it was the hard-hitting Aussie who was stronger today, defeating Suarez Navarro in three tight sets. The Spanish took the first set, but couldn't keep her leading as Stosur ended up winning 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 in just under two hours on court. She now takes on the Romanian qualifier Patricia Maria Tig, who defeated Madison Keys 6-3, 6-4.
Suarez Navarro Comes From Behind To Take Tight Opener
It looked as it was going to be a great match from the start as Stosur was made to work on her very first service game, as she saved a break point and eventually held on her fourth attempt. The Aussie then fantastically broke her opponent on her first try, a booming forehand return winner sealing the deal to a 2-0 lead. Suarez Navarro again pushed Stosur, but she again failed to break, as Stosur saved all break points and eventually won the game to consolidate the early break.
The Spaniard was not done yet, though, as she then held easily then broke the Aussie right back on her second try, saving a game point chance while at it to get the set back on serve. Suarez Navarro then held her serve to 15, a beautiful backhand winner helping the Spainard get the set to 3-3. But Stosur was now starting to make errors, and a wild backhand helped Suarez Navarro break her Aussie opponent for the second time in a row. Both ladies then held each of their serves to love, with Suarez Navarro consolidating the break while Stosur held to stay in the set. And after 43 minutes on court, Suarez Navarro took the opening set 6-4 as a forehand just sailed wide from the Aussie.
Stosur Fights Back; Forces A Deciding Set
The second set started out sloppily as they both dropped their serves, but both ladies were beginning to fire winners from all parts of the court. The Spainard again threatened to break, but Stosur was too strong as she held for a 2-1 lead. Both ladies then held their serves comfortably, neither facing a break point.
Fantastic shots from Stosur, though, saw her force a break point on Suarez Navarro's serve, and despite needing three, she eventually got the job done and broke the Spaniard for a second time for a 4-2 lead. Stosur then consolidated the break with a hold at love, as she went one game away from winning the second set. And on her second attempt, she closed out the second set 6-2, in 38 minutes, as another forehand winner sailed off the Aussie's racquet.
One Break Decides Final Set; Stosur Takes The Match
The third and final set started off just as the last had, with both players breaking each other as errors seemed to just fly off the server's racquet. Stosur, though, was determined to hold, and she did, holding another tight service game to get a 2-1 lead. But the ladies were still on serve, and Suarez Navarro held her own service game easily as she was gifted with Stosur errors. But once again, Stosur played much better on her own serve, and a forehand winner helped her hold her serve at love to take a 3-2 lead.
The Aussie's efforts seemed to have paid off, though, as an uncharacteristic game from the Spainish gave Stosur a crucial break. Despite being pushed to deuce, the Aussie again was too good in the important moments, and consoliated the break to put herself one game away from the match. Suarez Navarro gave one last effort and held, but Stosur was too good today as she held and took the match 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 in one hour and 58 minutes on the slippery, slow red clay.