22 Apr 2007 - Palais des Sports Beaublanc, Limoges, France - Lewis Cumberland
http://www.fedcup.com/news/newsarticle.asp?id=11092
France through to face Italy
It was a hot day in Limoges. Not just because the sun was burning hot, not
because it was the first round of the French presidential elections, but
because France needed its third win to move on the to the semifinals of
the Fed cup by BNP Paribas.
And it was all in the hands of Tatiana Golovin. Who, due to the absence
of Mauresmo, was promoted to No. 1 player of the French team. And after
giving the second point yesterday with a convincing win over Akiko Morigami,
she had the chance to seal the tie against Ai Sugiyama. On the other hand,
“Sugi”, Japan’s No. 1, knew that she was not allowed to lose. The pressure
was therefore clearly on the shoulders of the Japanese player. But she dealt
with it like a champ as she broke Golovin in the opening game and held that
advantage throughout the set, or almost. Almost, because she did have three
set points when up 5-4, but was not able to convert. Golovin was desperately
trying to break back, and it wasn’t until the eleventh break point
opportunity that the French girl was able to level the match at five games all.
Sugiyama's fightback forces tiebreak
It seemed as though the toughest had been done, but that was counting out
Sugiyama’s fighting spirit. She did not break down. Instead, she broke
Golovin and went ahead 6-5. Golovin hung in there and broke back forcing
a tiebreak. At this point momentum had definitely shifted and Golovin
dominated her opponent taking the tiebreaker seven points to three after
one hour 13 minutes.
“I played really well in the first set, but when I had the set points, I
was not able to convert, and in the second set I made too many mistakes,”
said a disappointed Sugiyama.
Golovin lives up to French No. 1 status
The loss of the first set was too much for Sugiyama to handle. And before
she knew it she was down 0-4. Au contraire as the French say, Golovin was
finally able to spread her wings and show to the 5000 frantic fans why
she is a Top 20 player. Risks were taken and chalk dust was flying. Golovin
was officially in the zone, Sugiyama wasn’t. The Japanese never got on board
and Golovin sealed the match and the tie 76(3) 60 in one hour 44 minutes
later putting France through to the semis.
“I’m really happy, as it was the first time that I was No. 1 and I managed
to give my team two points. It’s been a crazy three weeks and now I going to
rest a bit”, said an ecstatic Golovin.
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