Daniilidou Edges Craybas to Advance to Second Round

Eleni Daniilidou of Greece wasn’t physically at her best, but she did just enough to eliminate Jill Craybas of the United States, 6-4, 6-4, in the first round of the 2007 Acura Classic.

Playing on Stadium Court in the last day session match, Craybas took an early 3-0 first set lead, but Daniilidou, who is ranked 44 in the world, responded by taking the next six out of seven games to win the first set in 45 minutes.

In the second set, Daniilidou used an early break to take a 3-1 lead, but at the changeover at 3-2, she called the trainer and was treated for nausea.

Craybas broke serve in the next game to tie the set at 3-3 and looked poised to push the match to a third set. Despite not feeling well, Daniilidou broke back and three games later would serve for the match at 5-4.

The American committed three straight backhand errors to fall behind 40-0. Daniilidou put an end to the match quickly on the first match point as she hit an 82 mph service ace.

• The length of the match was 1 hour and 33 minutes.
• Daniilidou advances to a second round match against the winner of Sania Mirza / Shahar Peer.
• Daniilidou has represented Greece in the Olympics and Fed Cup play.
• Daniilidou now leads Craybas 3-0 in career head to head meetings.
• Daniilidou is making her fifth career Acura Classic appearance.
• Craybas is ranked 72 in the world.
• Craybas has represented the U.S. in Fed Cup play.
• Craybas reached the fourth round at Wimbledon in 2005.
• Craybas was making her seventh career Acura Classic appearance.

For more match summaries, please click here.