Abierto Monterrey Afirme, Mexico

[CR17] Sara Errani (ITA) vs. [CR91] Anett Kontaveit (EST)

Errani was comprehensively dismissed by the Estonian in straight sets.  Although Errani fought back in the second set, Kontaveit would not be denied.  She was sharper than Errani in every aspect, which was very surprising because Errani never gives in without a fight.  Tonight she could not find the solution to Kontaveit’s game and frankly she looked sluggish.  Perhaps all the recent tennis has caught up with her. Errani has played every week in doubles and singles since the season began; thus, despite her fitness it has to be tiring to compete at this intense level every week.

Also, it must be so mentally draining for Errani who has to work harder than most to win her matches because of her weak serve, even with her tenacity. Some days it’s harder to defend that serve when you come across a player who was hitting the ball cleanly and was clearly pumped.  Kontaveit controlled her nerves despite the slight wobble in the second set and closed it out rather easily in the end 6-1, 6-3.  She eliminated the number one seed from the tournament in their first encounter. Now that she had such a brilliant win, can she back it up in the next round?  The thrill of victory is often sweet on the day of success; however, the emotional letdown the next day can throw your game off.  Too often we have seen lower ranked players defeat a much higher ranked player only to lose rather easily in the next round to someone they should have beaten.