| Tatiana Poutchek (BLR) |
6 |
6 |
| Ahsha Rolle (USA) |
3 |
2 |
Ahsha Rolle of the United States was defeated in a second round qualifying match at the Acura Classic as she fell to Tatiana Poutchek of Belarus, 6-3, 6-2 in one-hour and 37-minutes.
Playing on a warm and partly cloudy afternoon on Stadium Court at the La Costa Resort and Spa, Rolle and Poutchek exchanged two service breaks early in the first set and were tied at 3-3.
The Belarusian broke Rolle’s serve and then held serve at love to take a 5-3 lead. The American serving to stay in the set, took a 40-0 lead, but lost the next six out of seven points to lose serve and the set.
Poutchek, who converted on seven of 13 break point opportunities, kept the momentum into the second set as she gained a 3-0 lead. Rolle staged a mini-comeback and won 8 of the next 11 points and closed Poutchek’s lead to 3-2.
Rolle, served to tie the set in the next game, but on break point Poutchek increased her lead to 4-2 as she passed Rolle at the net.
Poutchek got out of a jam on her serve in the seventh game when the score got to deuce. Rolle’s forehand crosscourt service return clipped the tape and on game point, Poutchek whipped a backhand cross court winner for a 5-2 lead.
Serving to stay in the match, Rolle struggled to find consistency in her game. On the second deuce, she hit a backhand cross court long and then on match point against her, she netted a backhand volley to end the match.
- Poutchek is ranked 75 in the world.
- Poutchek reached the third round of the 2003 Australian Open.
- Poutchek is making her Acura Classic debut.
- Poutchek has represented Belarus in Fed Cup play.
- Rolle is ranked 118 in the world.
- In January, Rolle won three matches to qualify for the main draw of the 2007 Australian Open.
- Rolle won her first professional title last September at the $75,000 USTA Pro Circuit event in Albuquerque.
- Rolle was making her Acura Classic debut.
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