[68] Madison Brengle (USA) vs. [134] Richel Hogenkamp (NED)
Never underestimate the power of home court advantage, add to that confidence gained from winning a few matches and Hogenkamp was poised to pull off the upset. Things looked to be in Brengle’s favor when she served for the first set at 5-3; however, she was unable to serve it out. Hogenkamp seemed to have seized the momentum, but she could not consolidate the break late in the first set and lost her serve to lose the first set.
It was a tension filled match. You could sense the nerves in both players. Brengle expecting to win because she was the higher ranked player felt the pressure. Hogenkamp with nothing to lose and the crowd behind her also felt the pressure. The interesting thing about pressure, it can exist whether things are going well or poorly. After winning the first set, Brengle lost her focus, got rattled and after a series of breaks, she lost the second set. She was in danger of losing the match as Hogenkamp took the early break in the third set; however, feeling the weight of expectation, once again she failed to convert at a critical moment and lost her advantage and the match. Brengle won 7-5, 5-7, 7-5.
