\Katie won the second set 7-5 with a stunning game to break Aiava.
Katie was 4-1 up but Aiava then won 4 games in a row to lead 5-4 and had numerous match points. Every game though was close and it is coming down to fine margins on who wins each game. This is a proper marathon now - nearly 2 and a half hours on court at the start of the third set. I've a feeling Aiava may be the fitter and therefore have the edge - hope I am wrong.
Crazy scene at the handshake, the metal singles stick got a real thump and fell with a clatter on the court, did Aiava lose it and wack it with her racquet ? Don't know if there was a handshake even. There hadn't been any animosity at all in the match.
Did anyone catch the underarm serve Aiava tried in the 4th game of the last set? (I think it was then, and I think it went wide of the service box). That match had everything.
-- Edited by foobarbaz on Friday 14th of November 2025 03:53:00 AM
-- Edited by foobarbaz on Friday 14th of November 2025 03:58:31 AM
That 10th game in the second set, as Andy said 5 match points saved (I think) and Katie getting the break back. Fair play to Aiava, she is some player, very potent serve, 1st serve after 1st serve going in, nimble too for a powerful physique, and good touch at the net, makes every point a battle. How Swan managed to turn it round after struggling with what might have been a lower back spasm in the middle of the 2nd set I don't know, she just threw caution to the wind and played amazing tennis. The euphoria when she turned to her team as the final point was won, was great to see.
Katie won the third set 6-3. Splendid hard fought win for her - she broke early to get ahead and although I was too sleepy to properly evaluate everything, it continued to be very close. I was particularly impressed that she didn't lose focus as it was a tremendous fightback in the second set to save match points and then break Aiava, and it would have been easy for Katie to not do enough in the third. It was such a long match though, which begs the question as to whether she will be able to play properly in her semi - she did the familiar toe stretches at various points and I think it took a lot out of her.
Big well done to Katie 6-7 7-5 6-3 in 3 hours and 22 minutes,
I saw the score at 5-5 in the 1st set and thought it might end up being a marathon. So pleased Katie won and atleast she was 1st match on so a bit of extra time to recover. Hopefully the next match will be long too.
The next match doesn't appear to have started yet.
-- Edited by emmsie69 on Friday 14th of November 2025 06:14:22 AM
Fell asleep with Katie 4-5 in the second but convinced I'd wake up to a loss, only to find she turned it around. Goodness me, she's a fighter.
I watched the MTO carefully and they did not work on her back but on her left leg. They returned after a few games but she decided to carry on without treatment. Of course, what happened after I fell asleep, I have no idea.
There's a Challenger on this week - Tomic was the second match, and lost a three hour three setter. Emerson Jones is now on court against Yamaguchi and the winner will play Katie.