The weather was humid and dreary at the Sony Ericsson Open on Tuesday, but the tennis was scintillating.
Fans who waited out the rain delays and didn’t mind damp seats were treated to a thrilling comeback by two-time champion Kim Clijsters, another victory dance by charismatic newcomer Andrea Petkovic after a seven-deuce final game, a milestone victory by the lone remaining American Mardy Fish and easy victories by No. 1 Rafael Nadal and No. 2 Novak Djokovic.
Clijsters trailed 5-1 in the third set to former No. 1 Ana Ivanovic, but the Belgian remained calm, swept the next five games, survived five match points and advanced to the quarterfinals with a 7-6 (7-4), 3-6, 7-6 (7-5) victory in a match postponed from Monday because of rain. Ivanovic squandered four match points at 5-1, and another at 5-3. Her racket paid the price.
“I think because I have been on the tour for many years, you realize you have to keep trying until the last point is played,” said Clijsters, the No. 2 seed. “In tennis, even if it’s 5-1, you start the next game and it’s 0-0. She has to win four points. She got a little tentative at the end.”
Asked how hard it was to accept the loss, Ivanovic smiled and said: “You should see my racket. I kind of broke my racket and then cried a little bit, and then I was okay.”
*sigh* Why is it that I always miss all the good ones darn it!. Hoping to see it at some point tomorrow.
Good to see Clijsters shoulder isn't much of an issue. And way to make a comeback!.
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