Dulko Outlasts Obata to Advance

Both players mixed their shots during the two-hour and 25-minute match at the La Costa Resort and Spa as they tried to open up the court to attempt winners from the baseline.

Obata served for the first set at 5-4, but double-faulted to open the game. Dulko went on to break serve to tie the set at 5-5. The set eventually went to a tiebreak.

In the tiebreaker, Dulko got off to a 4-1 lead by hitting three forehand winners and a service winner. After her drop shot attempt fell short, Dulko committed a forehand error to make the score 4-3 in her favor.

On the next point, Obata reached Dulko’s drop shot, but sent it long to fall behind 5-3.

Dulko earned a set point when she slammed a down the line forehand winner after a long rally. The Argentine wrapped up the first set as Obata sent her backhand into the net.

Obata rallied to break Dulko’s serve twice to win the second set in 27 minutes and even the match.

After exchanging service breaks to open the third set, Dulko and Obata stayed on serve until eighth game.

With Obata serving at 3-4, Dulko hit a down the line forehand winner to get a break point. She broke Obata as she hit a perfectly executed backhand cross court winner to take a 5-3 lead.

Dulko served for the match, but Obata did not go down without a fight as they played an 18-point game, the longest of the match.

Obata wasted five break points and on the sixth deuce, her down the line passing shot clipped the tape and fell back on her side of the court.

On her second match point, Dulko hit a cross court backhand winner to end the match.

• Dulko advances to the second round where she will play the winner of the Nathalie Dechy / Kristina Brandi match.
• Dulko is ranked 29 in the world.
• Dulko’s 2005 match record improves to 22-15.
• Dulko is playing in her second Acura Classic. She reached the third round of last year’s tournament.
• Dulko represents Argentina in Fed Cup play.
• Obata entered the main draw as a qualifier after defeating San Diego’s Alexandra Stevenson in the final qualifying round.
• Obata is ranked 165 in the world.
• Obata qualified for this year’s Wimbledon where she fell to Marissa Irvin of the United States in the first round.
• Obata achieved her career-high ranking of 39 in the world early last year.
• Obata was making her fourth career Acura Class appearance.
  

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