Shaughnessy Extends Mirza Misery at WTA Bangkok
Posted on October 11, 2006BANGKOK, Thailand -- Even though their match rhythm was disrupted by long rain delays, Tamarine Tanasugarn and Meghann Shaughnessy got through their PTT Bangkok Open first round matches in straight sets. Bangkok resident Tanasugarn upset No.10 seed Catalina Casta 60 76(5), after Shaughnessy defeated Sania Mirza, 64 64, on Tuesday.
Tanasugarn, who received a wild card for the main draw, spent one hour and 19 minutes on court but her total match time was more than four hours. Heavy rain showers suspended the match for three hours when Tanasugarn led 3-1 in the second set tie-break. When play resumed, she raced to a 5-1 lead before Castano leveled at 5-5. But Tanasugarn won the next two points and the match.
"A rain delay is so hard," said Tanasugarn, who will play Jamea Jackson in the second round. "Especially when you are in the tie-break. I knew coming back that I could either be on court for another couple of minutes or more than an hour if it went to three sets. I knew that meant I had to put all my concentration into those few points so I could finish the match tonight."
The 29-year-old already defeated Castano earlier this year in the first round of Wimbledon.
"I noticed that she was off-balance today," Tanasugarn added. "She definitely wasn't comfortable out there today and it was lucky for me and I took advantage of it. She improved a lot in the second set, was getting more comfortable and serving better. I'm so pleased to have won. My strength today was that I concentrated well and kept the ball in play."
Indian teen Mirza served eight double against No.6-seeded Shaughnessy. The American will next face unseeded German Julia Schruff, a 64 76(5) winner over Emma Laine.
"It's always difficult playing with a rain delay," Shaughnessy said. "But it's the same for both players, so you really just have to concentrate. I wanted to make sure to come into the match aggressively and serve well. My serve was definitely the key today. (Mirza) is a very dangerous player with a great forehand and serve and she hits the ball cross court so well. You really don't know what sort of a day she's going to be having so I think players are generally a little on edge when they go out to play her."
"I'm happy with having a good win today," Shaughnessy added. I'll try to build on that with each match and hopefully that means having a great week."
No.4 seed Lucie Safarova eliminated Selima Sfar, 63 63, and is now up against either Alicia Molik or Vania King. Other Tuesday winners were Sybille Bammer, Schruff, Jackson and Marta Domachowska.
On Wednesday, No.2 seed Anabel Medina Garrigues and No.3 Nathalie Dechy make their PTT Bangkok Open debuts.
-- WTA
Tanasugarn, who received a wild card for the main draw, spent one hour and 19 minutes on court but her total match time was more than four hours. Heavy rain showers suspended the match for three hours when Tanasugarn led 3-1 in the second set tie-break. When play resumed, she raced to a 5-1 lead before Castano leveled at 5-5. But Tanasugarn won the next two points and the match.
"A rain delay is so hard," said Tanasugarn, who will play Jamea Jackson in the second round. "Especially when you are in the tie-break. I knew coming back that I could either be on court for another couple of minutes or more than an hour if it went to three sets. I knew that meant I had to put all my concentration into those few points so I could finish the match tonight."
The 29-year-old already defeated Castano earlier this year in the first round of Wimbledon.
"I noticed that she was off-balance today," Tanasugarn added. "She definitely wasn't comfortable out there today and it was lucky for me and I took advantage of it. She improved a lot in the second set, was getting more comfortable and serving better. I'm so pleased to have won. My strength today was that I concentrated well and kept the ball in play."
Indian teen Mirza served eight double against No.6-seeded Shaughnessy. The American will next face unseeded German Julia Schruff, a 64 76(5) winner over Emma Laine.
"It's always difficult playing with a rain delay," Shaughnessy said. "But it's the same for both players, so you really just have to concentrate. I wanted to make sure to come into the match aggressively and serve well. My serve was definitely the key today. (Mirza) is a very dangerous player with a great forehand and serve and she hits the ball cross court so well. You really don't know what sort of a day she's going to be having so I think players are generally a little on edge when they go out to play her."
"I'm happy with having a good win today," Shaughnessy added. I'll try to build on that with each match and hopefully that means having a great week."
No.4 seed Lucie Safarova eliminated Selima Sfar, 63 63, and is now up against either Alicia Molik or Vania King. Other Tuesday winners were Sybille Bammer, Schruff, Jackson and Marta Domachowska.
On Wednesday, No.2 seed Anabel Medina Garrigues and No.3 Nathalie Dechy make their PTT Bangkok Open debuts.
-- WTA