Pennetta Fends Off Raymond to Advance

Lisa Raymond picked a bad time to lose serve during her first-round Acura Classic match against 12th seeded Flavia Pennetta of Italy as she lost 7-5, 6-3 before a large night session crowd on Stadium Court.

In the tightly-contested first set, Raymond served to stay in the set at 5-6 but double faulted to fall behind 0-30. She got back to deuce, but dropped the next two points to lose serve and the set.

The American got off to a quick 3-1 lead in the second set and the crowd sensed the match going three sets, but Pennetta had other ideas as she rallied for a 4-3 lead.

Raymond served to knot the set at 4-4 but in a game which involved 24 points, she lost serve as she double faulted on Pennetta’s third break point of the game.

With a 5-3 lead, Pennetta easily served out the match at love as she blasted an ace on match point.

Pennetta converted on six of 15 break point opportunities and took advantage of Raymond’s seven double faults during the match which lasted one-hour and 37 minutes.

• Pennetta is ranked 18th in the world.
• Pennetta is making her second career Acura Classic appearance.
• Pennetta reached the fourth round of Wimbledon in 2006 and 2005.
• Pennetta is a member of the Italian Fed Cup Team
• Pennetta will play Jamea Jackson of the United States in the second round.
• Raymond is ranked 76 in the world in singles. Her career high singles ranking was 15 in 1997.
• Raymond reached the quarterfinals at the 2004 Australian Open and the 2000 Wimbledon.
• Raymond was once ranked number one in the world in doubles.
• Raymond was playing in her 12th Acura Classic. She reached the singles final in 1995, losing to Spain’s Conchita Martinez.

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