Benesova Eliminates Zuluaga in First-Round Action

On Kid’s Day at the Acura Classic, left-handed Iveta Benesova of the Czech Republic won a tough first-round match against Fabiola Zuluaga of Colombia on the Grandstand, 6-2, 3-6, 7-5.

The critical game of the one-hour and 50 minute match was in the third set, with the score tied at 3-3. Benesova won a 16-point game to break Zuluaga’s serve to take a 4-3 lead.

Benesova easily held serve in the next game to take a 5-3 lead, only to see Zuluaga break back and hold her own serve to tie the set at 5-5.

After holding serve at love to take a 6-5 lead, Benesova lost only one point in breaking the Colombian’s serve to seal the victory.

Benesova will face Russia’s Anna Chakvetadze in a second-round match.

• Benesova is ranked 53 in the world.
• Benesova’s 2005 match record improves to 16-19.
• Benesova is playing in her second Acura Classic.
• Zuluaga is ranked 45 in the world.
• Zuluaga reached her career high ranking of 16 in January this year.
• Zuluaga is playing in her fifth Acura Classic.
  

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