Rotten draw against the reigning champions,who include the hometown favourite R1: Jocelyn RAE/Anna SMITH (GBR) 232 v. Kiki BERTENS/Johanna LARSSON (NED/SWE) [2] 73
Bertens has played a lot of tennis over the last few months, and looked pretty exhausted in her defeat to Mattek Sands in the singles here, so perhaps that could be an exploitable advantage.
They could have taken it much earlier, Joss missing some easy volleys at 5-4 *30-30, but they got to the TB after looking like throwing the set away.
They dominated the TB 7-6(1)
Jossanna lost their break advantage to make it 4-4, broke again to make it 5-4. lost their serve again, saved a set point at 6-5 and won the tie break 7-1.
*0-0
0-1* Bertens falls sliding flat on her face full length, soft landing though, dirty kit rather than inury concern
1-1*
*1-2
*2-2 Joss DF
2-3* Joss killed volley down the middle
3-3* Joss good hands catches Larsson out, who nets
*4-3
*5-3 Wild return from Larsson
6-3* Bertens Ace
6-4* Bertens central drive, Joss can't control it
*6-5 Larsson drives just too far for Anna to reach properly, and frames it into the net
*6-6 Good point, both Joss & Anna multiple volleys and Anna with final putaway
7-6* Larsson good serve, return floats, Bertens finishes
7-7*
*7-8 Anna UE BH into net 2 MP against
*7-9
8-9* Bertens serve, Anna can't pick it up
8-10
