SX gifts H an early break with back to back dfs from 30-30 *1-0
H starts with a df, gets to 40-30 after a super drop shot winner, then suffers as SX goes after her 2nd serve 1-1
H with a super b cc winner, then a df, HD aggressive f dtl for 0-40, she takes the 2nd bp with a deep f *2-1
An ace makes it 15-15 but despite landing her first serve each time, HD gives away the next 3 points with poor errors, two immediately after her serve 2-2
SX comfortable hold to 15, one good point from H *2-3
A couple of nice b winners as H holds to 15 3-3
Another easy hold to 15 for SX *3-4
Harriet gets a lucky b winner after a netcord but super play from SX for 15-30, HD with a fierce b winner after her serve 30-30, an unret 1st serve for 40-30 but SX punishes a 2nd serve 40-40, an unret 2nd for A-, SX f pass winner after a HD drop shot 40-40, SX attacks a 2nd serve, winning the point with a b dtl winner, she then goes after another 2nd serve, HD's b is long for the break 3-5*
SX in control at 40-15 but H f winner after a rally, then a brilliant b cc winner from H for 40-40, SX b cc ue wide for 40-A, SX lost her composure f ue long after her serve for the break *4-5
SX poor f, but responds with an aggressive f cc for 15-15, then another f error from her, H up 40-15, df, SX deep b return for 40-40, then SX punishes a 2nd serve 40-A, HD saves set point with a good serve followed by a f winner 40-40, she then benefits from 2 awful errors from SX, a 2nd serve return into the net then shocking f error long 5-5
Despite starting with a df, and later a lucky b return winner after a netcord from H, SX holds to 30 *5-6
HD quickly up 40-0 takes the game to 15 as SX fails to return a 2nd serve 6-6
SX f wide to start the tiebreak *1-0, HD goes for a b dtl but it's wide 1-1, SX poor f into the net 2-1* SX drop shot then an exchange of volleys at the net, Harriet v winner 3-1*, SX 2nd serve but still dominates the point, finishing with a b drive volley winner *3-2, an unreturned 1st serve from H *4-2
At which point my internet connection failed. Apparently Harriet took the tiebreak 7-4, finishing with an ace.
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A few thoughts on the set. Xu was the dominant player in most of the rallies, heavy hitting through-out, taking on ambitious shots cross-court and down the line. Her return of Harriet's 2nd serve was mega aggressive, standing well inside the baseline as Harriet served and moving forwards before she made on contact on the return. Up to 3-5 Shilin Xu made very few errors after her early dfs. Although Harriet saved the set points with high quality play of her won, she was assisted by some shocking errors in those two key games. At times Harriet was simply trying to survive the early barrage of heavy shots, hoping to turn it into a rally. The Dart backhand produced more winners and more unforced errors than her forehand.
-- Edited by kundalini on Thursday 10th of January 2019 04:46:31 AM