TENNIS ROLAND GARROS – On her way to the 2014 French Open championships, Dominika Cibulkova (9) did not win a single match on clay for the year. Her fortunes seemed to have changed here in Paris. However, looking at her 3rd round match up against Samantha Stosur, Cibulkova knew that despite being the higher seed, her run here would most likely come to an end. Stosur won 6-4 6-4 in an hour and 40 minutes. Cordell Hackshaw
Interviews, Results, OOP, Draws from the Roland Garros
On her way to the 2014 French Open championships, Dominika Cibulkova (9) did not win a single match on clay for the year. Her fortunes seemed to have changed here in Paris. The 2014 Australian Open finalist won her opening rounds matches comfortably and looked to perhaps have another good run at a major. However, looking at her 3rd round match up against Samantha Stosur (19), Cibulkova knew that despite being the higher seed, her run here would most likely come to an end. The Slovakian has failed to win a set against the Australian in their four previous meetings, most recently at the Mutua Madrid tournament early this month 4-6 0-6. In their 5th meeting, the trend would continue. Stosur won 6-4 6-4 in an hour and 40 minutes.
From the onset, one could see that Cibulkova was going to have difficulty winning this match mainly because of her serve. For the match, she only got 63% of first serves in and won only 67% of those points and a paltry 38% on her second serve. Stosur thus had numerous opportunities to be the aggressor on court and dictate play. She broke the Slovakian in the opening game and raced to a 3-1 lead. However, Cibulkova, despite her diminutive stature, is a great defender. She began working over Stosur’s backhand (the weakest of the Australian’s shots) and was able to secure the break back. However, the serving yips returned and Stosur was able to break again to go up 4-2. The Australian needed little encouragement to keep the scoreline ticking in her favour. She took the 1st set 6-4 in 46 minutes.
In the 2nd set, Cibulkova began taking care of her serve and fend off early break points and keep the set even at 3-3. Remembering her recent victory over her opponent, it was clear to Stosur what she must do in order to secure another win. “She was trying to play really aggressive. And I was again, when she was doing that, if I couldn’t attack, I thought I defended pretty well. Then as soon as I got my chance, I really went after it.” She certainly seized on her chances as she broke Cibulkova in the 7th game and held easily for a 5-3 lead. Cibulkova held serve one more time but Stosur was quick to serve out the match with an ace 6-4 6-4.
This was a very tidy match for Stosur and she was very happy with the results. “I do feel very comfortable at the moment. I’m very pleased with the way I’m playing.” She had 10 aces, 1 double fault, got 72% of her 1st serves in and won 74% of those points along with 61% of her 2nd serve points. The 2010 finalist here had 32 winners to 12 errors whereas Cibulkova had 28 winners to 35 errors. No way was the Slovakian going to change her fortunes against Stosur today being so error prone. Stosur speaking of her possible 4th round encounter with Maria Sharapova (7) had this to say, “I have beaten her before. I know what it takes. I know I have to play very well against her. I know there are certain things I have to do well and if I don’t, then it makes life very, very tough that day. I will go out there and certainly give it my best shot.”
