| Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) |
6 |
1 |
6 |
| Victoria Azarenka (BLR) |
3 |
6 |
1 |
No wonder players and fans loving coming to the Acura Classic.
On a morning with almost perfect weather, a large crowd filled Stadium Court at the La Costa Resort and Spa to watch sixth-seed Daniela Hantuchova’s 6-3, 1-6, 6-1, second-round victory over Victoria Azarenka of Belarus.
Playing under slightly overcast skies with cool and slightly breezy conditions, Hantuchova won the first set when she broke Azarenka to take a 5-4 lead.
She then took a 40-0 lead as she served for the set. After hitting a double fault, Hantuchova hit an ace to secure the set.
To the amazement of the crowd, Azarenka came back to win the second set in exactly 30 minutes as she lost only three points to take a 3-0 lead. The Belarusian increased her lead to 5-1 and served out the set at love in the next game to even the match.
Azarenka broke serve to begin the third set and looked poised to upset the sixth seed, but Hantuchova got her game back on track and broke Azarenka’s serve at love in the next game.
At 1-1 in the third set, Hantuchova won the next five games in a row. With a 5-1 lead, she served for the match. With the score 30-30, Hantuchova got to match point when Azarenka returned a forehand service return wide.
On match point at 40-30, Azarenka’s cross court backhand service return went wide to give Hantuchova the three-set victory.
- Hantuchova advances to the third round, where she will meet the winner of the Venus Williams/Virginie Razzano
- Hantuchova is ranked 10th in the world.
- Hantuchova improves her 2007 match record to 35-17.
- Hantuchova reached the quarterfinals of the 2003 Australian Open.
- Hantuchova is making her sixth career Acura Classic appearance.
- This was the first head-to-head meeting between the two players.
- Azarenka is ranked 45 in the world.
- Azarenka has represented Belarus in Fed Cup play.
- Azarenka was making her Acura Classic debut.
- Azarenka is playing doubles at the Acura Classic with Russia’s Anna Chakvetadze.
For more match summaries, please click here.
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