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2009 Bank of the West Classic Stanford Semis: A Match in Three Acts
2009 Bank of the West Classic Stanford Semis: A Match in Three Acts
Sunday, 02 August 2009 00:00
Stanford Semis: A Match in Three Acts
Written by Scott Minor
In the second semifinal of the 2009 Bank of the West Classic, Marion Bartoli defeated Samantha Stosur 6-3, 1-6, 6-1. The three sets had the appearance of a topsy-turvy three-act play.Act I: Shrinking Violet?
Perhaps nervous at the prospect of reaching her first final of 2009, Stosur began the match uneasily, and coughed up a double fault to get broken in the very first game. Meanwhile, Bartoli was doing a surprisingly good job of running down shots, and extending points until the Australian made an error. The Frenchwoman credited a new level of fitness – particularly in her legs – for improving her serve, which produced three aces.
Act II: Waiting for Intermission
Stosur emerged a new woman in the second set. Her forehand especially took center stage, and was responsible for two early breaks of Bartoli’s serve. Stosur had to fend off three break points at 3-0, but did manage to extend her lead, and later wrapped up the set comfortably.
“Samantha started to play some awesome points. She was unbeatable in the second set. She was hitting winners on both sides, serving well. I couldn’t do anything,” said Bartoli after the match.
Act III: In Need of an Understudy
There was to be one more swing in momentum: Stosur committed four unforced errors to break herself to start the third set, and smothered four forehands in the next game to hand over an easy hold. Bartoli was once again running for shots she had been letting go for winners in the second set. Her first serve percentage prevented Stosur from seizing control early in points.
After finally holding serve for 1-4, Stosur called for the trainer to treat a lower back injury. But this merely delayed the inevitable. Three more unforced errors helped Bartoli back from a 0-30 deficit, and a big serve up the ‘T’ clinched the game.
Then, as good dramas do, this one ended with a fitting dénouement (that’s right, look it up). After a long rally, Stosur hit a drop shot and came to net. Bartoli was able to reach it and nudge a one-handed forehand down the line for a winner, then raise her arms in triumph.
“It was a nice match point,” commented Bartoli. “I think it was a nice match overall. We had some tough rallies, some great points. I was really happy to come through with a win, and be in the final one more time. The draw was so tough this year, the field was incredible… to be in the final again is just great.”
*Marion Bartoli is pictured above on July 20, 2008 during the 2008 Bank of the West Classic, delivering a Singles Runner-up speech.
More photos from the 2009 Bank of the West Classic Tennis Tournament.
Photos: Scott Minor
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Bank of the West Classic