Dr. Andrew Broad
Tennis
Magdaléna Rybáriková
Birmingham 2009 Match-Reports

• First round: Akgul Amanmuradova@ (added 17th June 2009)
• Second round: Chanelle Scheepers@ (added 11th July 2009)
• Third round: Zheng,Jie@ (added 12th July 2009)
• Quarter-final: Urszula Radwanska@ (added 18th July 2009)
• Semi-final: Sania Mirza@ (added 25th July 2009)
• Final: Li,Na@* (added 26th July 2009)

+ MAGDALÉNA RYBÁRIKOVÁ [13,EF] d. Akgul Amanmuradova, 6-4 6-4

This was my third time to see Magda play (following the BBC's televisations of the Wimbledon 2006 Girls' Singles final and French Open 2009 second round), but my first time to see her win a match.

When I came off Centre Court immediately after watching Maria Kirilenko lose to Urszula Radwanska, Magda, on Court 2, had set-point at *5-4 (40/30) in the first set, which she converted when Amanmuradova hit the ball into the net at 18:13 BST.

In the second set, the tall, manly Amanmuradova served big, and went to the net at every opportunity, where her long right arm gives her an advantage.

But Magda had too much class for her: she served very well herself, was much better from the baseline than Amanmuradova, and picked off the net-rusher with some passing-shots and lobs.

Magda has both a two-handed backhand and a one-handed sliced backhand; she used the latter predominantly in this match, keeping the ball low against her tall opponent on the slick, green grass.

Magda's coach (whose name is Mojmír Mihal according to www.sonyericssonwtatour.com) was sitting right behind me. He kept shouting to her in Slovak: I kept hearing the words "podme" ("c'mon") and "agresív". When she won the match, the lucky bustard got to kiss Magda: I'm not just talking about a quick peck, but a full-on lips-to-lips kiss whilst holding hands! He then fondled her ponytail briefly before they walked off together.

Third set

RYBÁRIKOVÁ  *@*   *@* 6
AMANMURADO *   *@*    4

Amanmuradova serving 0-0: Forehand return just long. 15/0. Magda forehand lob just long. 30/0. Service-winner out wide. 40/0. And again.

Magda serving 0-1: Amanmuradova went to the net and hit a forehand volley-winner - her arm has grown long! 0/15. Magda went to the net, and hit a deep forehand overhead, forcing Amanmuradova to net a backhand. 15/15. Ace out wide. 30/15. Magda netted a forehand. 30/30. Serve out wide + crosscourt forehand winner. 40/30. Amanmuradova hit that rarest of beasts: a backhand smash-winner. Deuce #1. Service-winner out wide. Ad Magda. Body-jamming service-winner out wide.

Amanmuradova serving 1-1: Serve out wide: Magda netted a forehand return. 15/0. Amanmuradova crosscourt forehand + forehand volley-winner down the line. 30/0. Amanmuradova netted a forehand on the third stroke. 30/15. Amanmuradova went to the net, but hit an off-forehand volley wide. 30/30. Amanmuradova went to the net, but Magda hit a backhand lob-winner. 30/40 (BP). Magda got the break on the third stroke of the rally, when Amanmuradova netted a forehand.

Magda serving 2-1: Down-the-line forehand return wide. 15/0. Amanmuradova netted a backhand return. 30/0. Magda backhand drop-volley winner. 40/0. I missed the point as I was distracted by Naomi Broady winning her qualifying-match on the adjacent Court 3. 40/15. Magda forehand lob long. 40/30. Magda - possibly distracted by the loudspeaker calling the players for the next match on Court 3 - hit a forehand long. Deuce #1. A short ball from Magda induced Amanmuradova to net a backhand. Ad Magda. Service-winner out wide.

Amanmuradova serving 1-3: Amanmuradova backhand dropshot-winner. 15/0. Service-winner out wide. 30/0. Magda hit a forehand return-winner right in the corner. 30/15. Magda netted a backhand. 40/15. Amanmuradova netted a backhand. 40/30. Magda hit a forehand volley long, and muttered in Slovak.

It was cold and windy now.

Magda serving 3-2: Magda forehand long. 0/15. Magda netted a forehand. 0/30. Service-winner out wide. 15/30. Amanmuradova netted a forehand. 30/30. Amanmuradova forehand smash-winner. 30/40 (BP #1). Magda hit some sliced backhands, and a crosscourt forehand pass-winner. Deuce #1. Magda crosscourt forehand winner. Ad Magda. She netted a backhand. Deuce #2. Amanmuradova opened up the court for an off-forehand winner. Ad Amanmuradova (BP #2). Service-winner down the middle. Deuce #2. Amanmuradova crosscourt forehand volley-winner. Ad Amanmuradova (BP #3). Amanmuradova broke with a backhand dropshot-winner.

Amanmuradova serving 3-3: Forehand return long. 15/0. Off-forehand return wide. 30/0. Amanmuradova went to the net, forcing Magda to net a forehand. 40/0. Serve out wide + crosscourt forehand volley-winner.

Magda serving 3-4: Three service-winners out wide! 40/0. Amanmuradova crosscourt forehand volley-winner. 40/15. Magda painted the sideline with an off-forehand winner.

Amanmuradova serving 4-4: Amanmuradova's lob forced Magda to hit an off-forehand wide. Magda shouted in Slovak. 15/0. Double fault (second serve long). 15/15. Virtual ace down the middle. 30/15. Forehand return just long. 40/15. Amanmuradova tried to serve and volley, but hit a forehand first volley long. 40/30. Magda went to the net, and hit a crosscourt backhand volley-winner. Deuce #1. Serve out wide + crosscourt backhand volley-winner. Ad Amanmuradova. She went to the net, but Magda hit a forehand pass-winner down the line. Deuce #2. Amanmuradova netted a forehand, and threatened to throw her racket. Ad Magda (BP). She broke when Amanmuradova hit a forehand very long.

It was now raining slightly.

Magda serving 5-4: Amanmuradova netted a sliced backhand. 15/0. Magda hit a sliced backhand pass-winner down the line. 30/0. Magda went to the net behind a sliced backhand crosscourt, and hit a backhand volley-winner. 40/0 (MP #1). Amanmuradova hit a forehand just long. Magda won 6-4 6-4 at 18:50 BST.

+ MAGDALÉNA RYBÁRIKOVÁ [13,EF] d. Chanelle Scheepers [Q], 6-7 (8/10) 6-1 6-3

I watched the first and third sets, but unfortunately had to miss the second, because my vows of Eternal Fanship compelled me to go and watch the resumption of Maria Sharapova's second-round match on Centre Court. Because I had not yet inducted Magda into my Eternal Fanship by then, my decision to watch Maria instead was automatic. Had I already inducted Magda, it would have been a very tricky decision: I might well have chosen to stay with Magda, as she was potentially one set away from going out of the tournament. Little did I realise I was looking at the eventual champion! :hearts:

Magda blew a 5-3* (30/0*) lead in the first set, and a set-point at 8/7* in the tiebreak, but came back strongly against the qualifier in the second and third sets.

In the third set, Scheepers won two amazing points to recover from *2-2 (15/40), then Magda looked in trouble at *2-3 (0/30). But Magda's recovery from that point started with an ace, and she won the last four games of the match.

The third set also showcased Magda's excellent lobs: at *1-2 (40/30), with Scheepers at the net, Magda hit a beautifully-flighted crosscourt backhand lob-winner just inside the baseline. At *2-3 (40/30), Magda neutered Scheepers's early initiative with a deep recovery-lob.

Liezel Huber - who used to represent South Africa until she became a US citizen - was sitting just in front of me to support her former compatriot. It was very annoying to hear her calling out "Chani" at regular intervals.

I'm tempted to make a "Jeepers Creepers" joke, but "Scheepers" is actually pronounced like the English word "shapers".

First set

RYBÁRIKOV @  * *@*   *  6(8)
SCHEEPERS  @* *   *@* T 7(10)

The match was originally scheduled third on Court 4, but was moved to Court 3 for some reason, and started at 13:43 BST. Magda won the toss and chose to receive.

Scheepers serving 0-0: Scheepers ran down a short ball, but netted a backhand dropshot. 0/15. Magda hit an off-backhand just inside the sideline, forcing Scheepers to hit a forehand wide. 0/30. Scheepers off-forehand wide on the third stroke. 0/40 (BP). Magda broke with a forehand winner down Scheepers's forehand-sideline.

Magda serving 1-0: Magda's sliced backhand clipped the netcord, and dropped just inside the sideline for a winner. 15/0. Ace down the middle. 30/0. Magda tried to serve and volley, but a low return forced her to net a backhand half-volley. 30/15. Scheepers hit a short-angled crosscourt forehand dropshot-winner back behind Magda. 30/30. Magda netted an off-forehand. 30/40 (BP). Scheepers broke back with a crosscourt forehand winner just inside the sideline.

Scheepers serving 1-1: Scheepers netted a backhand. 0/15. Magda netted a backhand dropshot. 15/15. Scheepers hit a pinpoint forehand down the line, forcing Magda to earth a backhand. 30/15. Magda went for a forehand winner down the line, but it was just wide. 40/15. Forehand return long.

There were raindrops in the air, but they didn't amount to anything (there had been a rain-delay between 12:16 and 13:01 BST).

Magda serving 1-2: Scheepers hit a crosscourt forehand winner back behind Magda. 0/15. Magda netted a backhand dropshot on the third stroke. 0/30. Magda off-forehand just wide. 0/40 (BP #1). Magda went to the net, and hit an off-backhand volley-winner. 15/40 (BP #2). Serve out wide forced Scheepers to net a forehand return. 30/40 (BP #3). Magda went to the net behind her crosscourt forehand, and hit a crosscourt backhand punch-volley winner. Deuce. Magda went to the net, forcing Scheepers to hit an off-forehand pass wide. Ad Magda. Serve down the middle forced Scheepers to hit a forehand return long.

Well recovered from 0/40, Magda! :hearts:

Scheepers serving 2-2: Serve out wide + crosscourt backhand deep in the corner forced Magda to hit a backhand wide. 15/0. Scheepers forced a short ball, and dispatched it with a crosscourt forehand winner. 30/0. Magda's backhand dropshot induced Scheepers to net a forehand. 30/15. Magda hit an off-forehand winner just inside the sideline. 30/30. Serve out wide forced Magda to net a forehand return. 40/30. Magda went to the net, but Scheepers passed her with a forehand winner down the line.

Magda serving 2-3: Scheepers dumped a forehand halfway up the net. 15/0. Magda hit a wicked kick-serve down the middle: a virtual ace that bounced over the back fence! 30/0. Forehand return long. 40/0. Magda went to the net behind her serve, forcing Scheepers to hit a forehand return long.

Scheepers serving 3-3: Scheepers's off-forehand bounced low, forcing Magda to net a backhand. 15/0. Scheepers hit a crosscourt backhand winner deep into the corner. 30/0. Magda painted the sideline with a crosscourt forehand winner. 30/15. Magda's deep forehand return forced Scheepers to net a backhand. 30/30. Magda ran down a dropshot, and dispatched it with a crosscourt forehand winner. 30/40 (BP #1). Backhand return long. Deuce. Scheepers off-forehand wide. Ad Magda (BP #2). Scheepers crosscourt forehand wide.

It was now quite windy.

Magda serving 4-3 (new balls): Kicking ace down the middle! 15/0. Magda netted a backhand on the third stroke - I think we can blame the wind for that one. 15/15. Scheepers netted a forehand. 30/15. Ace out wide. 40/15. Service-winner down the middle.

Scheepers serving 3-5: Magda forehand winner down the line. 0/15. Magda's crosscourt forehand return forced Scheepers to hit a forehand wide. 0/30. Scheepers off-forehand drive-volley winner. 15/30. Magda netted a forehand, and yelled. 30/30. Magda netted a sliced backhand. 40/30. Magda forehand just long.

Magda serving 5-4: Magda hit an off-forehand pass just wide, and shouted: "It was on the line!" 0/15. Serve out wide + crosscourt forehand winner onto the baseline. 15/15. Scheepers crosscourt forehand winner. 15/30. A deep, body-jamming ball from Scheepers forced Magda to hit a forehand very long. 15/40 (BP). Double fault (second serve long). Magda kicked the ball in frustration - it was a good kick!

Scheepers serving 5-5: Magda netted a forehand, and muttered in Slovak. 15/0. Magda netted a forehand return. 30/0. Scheepers, on the third stroke, hit a crosscourt forehand winner. 40/0. Magda hit a deep crosscourt backhand return just inside the baseline, forcing Scheepers to net an off-backhand that would also have been wide. 40/15. Double fault (second serve just long). 40/30. Scheepers backhand wide. Deuce. Scheepers hit a short-angled crosscourt forehand wide - off a short ball from Magda. Ad Scheepers. A deep ball down the middle forced Magda to hit an off-forehand wide.

Magda serving 5-6: Serve + crosscourt forehand winner. 15/0. Deep serve forced Scheepers to net a backhand return. 30/0. Forehand return very long. 40/0. Service-winner out wide.

6-6 tiebreak (all scores Rybáriková/Scheepers):
{0/0*} Scheepers dumped a backhand into the bottom of the net.
{*1/0} Magda dropshot + lob + forehand smash + forehand volley forced Scheepers to net a forehand.
{*2/0} Magda netted a backhand after running for a short, wide ball.
{2/1*} Scheepers hit a deep service-winner out wide.
{2/2*} Magda forehand long.
{*2/3} Magda netted a forehand on the third stroke.
{*2/4} It was windy, and I thought Magda hit a forehand just long - but she won that point, so perhaps it was a winner.
{3/4*} Magda ran down a dropshot, and hit a crosscourt forehand winner.
{4/4*} Magda slipped over as she stretched to hit a forehand volley, and Scheepers hit a crosscourt forehand pass-winner.
{*4/5} Scheepers netted a forehand.
{*5/5} Scheepers's depth forced Magda to hit a forehand long.
{5/6*: Scheepers SP #1} Double fault (second serve long).
{6/6*} Magda's forehand return clipped the netcord and fell back on her side.
{*6/7: Scheepers SP #2} Magda saved it with a virtual ace out wide.
{*7/7} Magda served an ace down the middle: it hit the centre-line with a puff of titanium pigment.
{8/7*: Magda SP #1} Scheepers saved it with a serve out wide + crosscourt forehand winner.
{8/8*} Magda off-forehand wide.
{*8/9: Scheepers SP #3} Magda's first serve landed on the service-line, but was called long. Second serve: Scheepers hit a deep backhand return down the middle, forcing Magda to hit a forehand wide. Scheepers won the first set 7-6 (10/8) at 14:36 BST (53m).

Both players called their coaches onto court, and I had to go to Centre Court to see the resumption of Maria Sharapova's second-round match.

Second set

When I returned to Court 3 at 15:00 BST, Magda had already breezed through the second set 6-1 in the 24 minutes I was gone! In spite of that, I found her taking on-court coaching from Mojmír Mihal at the set-break.

Magda had also rearranged her hair into a bun while I was gone.

Third set

RYBÁRIKOV  * * *@*@ 6
SCHEEPERS * * *     3

Scheepers serving 0-0: Serve out wide + crosscourt backhand winner. 15/0. Scheepers backhand winner down the line. 30/0. Serve down the middle forced Magda to net a backhand. 30/15. Magda forehand winner down the line. 30/30. Magda forehand long. 40/30. Scheepers's off-forehand forced Magda to net a backhand.

Magda serving 0-1: Scheepers's depth forced Magda to hit a backhand long. 0/15. Magda's deep sliced backhand approach forced Scheepers to hit a forehand long. 15/15. Serve out wide forced Scheepers to net a forehand return. 30/15. Scheepers crosscourt forehand winner. 30/30. Service-winner down the middle. 40/30. Scheepers forehand long.

Scheepers serving 1-1: Off-forehand return wide. 15/0. Scheepers netted a backhand. 15/15. Magda netted a forehand return, and jumped with her legs together. 30/15. Magda went to the net behind a sliced backhand, forcing Scheepers to net a backhand. 30/30. Magda netted a forehand return. 40/30. Scheepers went to the net, but Magda's lob forced her to retreat; then Magda went to the net, but an awkward lob from Scheepers forced her to earth an overhead backhand.

Magda serving 1-2: Scheepers spread Magda, her short-angled crosscourt backhand forcing Magda to net a backhand. 0/15. Ace out wide. 15/15. Scheepers netted a forehand. 30/15. Serve out wide + crosscourt forehand winner. 40/15. Magda slipped, and netted a backhand. 40/30. Scheepers went to the net, but Magda hit a beautifully-flighted crosscourt backhand lob-winner just inside the baseline!

Scheepers serving 2-2: Ace out wide. 15/0. Magda's depth forced Scheepers to dump a forehand into the bottom of the net. 15/15. Scheepers, on the third stroke, hit a backhand just long. 15/30. Scheepers netted a backhand. 15/40 (BP #1). An exchange of dropshots saw both players at the net: Scheepers hit a crosscourt backhand volley-winner. 30/40 (BP #2). Magda hit a deep ball onto the baseline, but Scheepers hit a forehand winner down Magda's forehand-sideline! Deuce. Forehand return very long/wide. Ad Scheepers. Magda crosscourt backhand wide.

Two break-points go begging - but Scheepers won two amazing points to save them!!

Magda serving 2-3 (new balls): Scheepers hit a forehand winner down the line - back behind Magda. 0/15. Scheepers's depth forced Magda to hit a backhand long. 0/30. Ace down the middle. 15/30. Scheepers backhand long. 30/30. Serve out wide forced Scheepers to net a forehand. 40/30. Magda neutered Scheepers's early initiative with an excellent deep recovery-lob, and a short floater from Magda induced Scheepers to hit a forehand long.

Scheepers serving 3-3: Magda paid the price for a short sliced backhand as Scheepers went to the net, forcing Magda to hit a crosscourt forehand wide. 15/0. Magda apologised for a short backhand return-winner down the line. 15/15. Scheepers forced Magda to hit a lob wide. 30/15. Scheepers backhand long. 30/30. Scheepers netted a backhand. 30/40 (BP #1). Magda netted a backhand. Deuce #1. Serve out wide forced Magda to hit a forehand lob-return wide. Ad Scheepers. She netted a backhand. Deuce #2. Double fault (second serve wide). Ad Magda (BP #2). Backhand return long. Deuce #3. Scheepers forehand long. Ad Magda (BP #3). Double fault (second serve clipped the netcord and fell wide).

Magda serving 4-3: Scheepers's depth forced Magda to hit a backhand lob long. 0/15. Scheepers netted a forehand. 15/15. Ace out wide caught the back edge of the service-line. 30/15. Scheepers's depth forced Magda to hit a forehand long. She muttered. 30/30. A very short ball from Magda forced Scheepers to hit a backhand long. 40/30. Serve out wide + off-forehand winner back behind Scheepers.

Scheepers serving 3-5: Serve out wide forced Magda to hit a forehand return long. 15/0. Scheepers got caught in no-man's-land: she hit a forehand drive-volley long. 15/15. Scheepers's depth forced Magda to net a forehand. 30/15. A very short ball from Magda forced Scheepers to net a forehand dropshot. 30/30. Double fault (second serve into the net). 30/40 (MP #1). Scheepers hit a forehand lob wide. Magda won 6-7 (8/10) 6-1 6-3 at 15:40 BST (third set 40m, match 1h57m).

+ MAGDALÉNA RYBÁRIKOVÁ [13,EF] d. ZHENG,JIE [1], 7-6 (12/10) 6-4

A sensational win for Magda over the top seed, who had reached the semi-finals of Wimbledon 2008. Magda saved four set-points in the first set!

It was a mouthwatering match, and one that deserved to be on Centre Court rather than the humble Court 4, where only half a dozen spectators got to watch it (including Mr. Bean, who kept shouting out an incorrect pronunciation of "Zheng" whenever the umpire said a different incorrect pronunciation of "Zheng" - the correct pronunciation of "Zheng,Jie" is "zhan jeah").

Only a small corner of Court 4 abuts the public watching-area by the outside courts, and there's only room for three people to stand in the front row with an unobstructed view of Court 4. I was lucky enough to be one of those three people, so I got an excellent view of this match, and it was well worth standing up for 1h50m (including the 14m between the players walking onto court and actually starting the match) in increasingly cold conditions.

Magda made a very sharp start, punishing two second serves with forehand return-winners as she broke to love in the very first game; she quickly held for 2-0*, and it was already obvious that she was eager to get to the net!

Magda had a break-point that would have given her *3-0, but two unforced forehand-errors helped put Zheng on the scoreboard, and Zheng broke back with a crosscourt forehand winner and a couple of spreading rallies.

Magda had two nonconsecutive break-points at 2-2*, but missed them both with backhand-errors. She then looked in trouble at *2-3 (0/40), but saved them with good serves and an error-forcing dropshot, then hit an ace en route to 3-3*.

Magda found herself facing set-points at *4-5 (15/40), but two good serves set up two off-forehand winners - one a high volley. She faced a third set-point in that game, but escaped to 5-5* with two aces and a service-winner.

In an epic tiebreak, Magda recovered from 3/5* with the help of some serve and volley. She then had three set-points of her own: 6/5* (Zheng saved it with a netcord-winner), *7/6 (Zheng saved it with an error-forcing return) and 8/7* (Magda netted a cheap return). Zheng had her fourth set-point at 9/8* (Magda saved it with a crosscourt backhand volley-winner), then Magda had her fourth at 10/9* (she hit a forehand just wide). At 10/10*, Magda cleaned the sideline with a running crosscourt forehand pass-winner, and she converted her fifth set-point with an ace down the middle.

The second set was much more straightforward, as Magda served extremely well, and Zheng's performance was marred by some unforced errors - not least when Magda broke to 30 for *3-1.

Magda then held to love with four aces - an extremely rare feat in women's tennis! The first of those aces was an amazing kick-serve down the middle! This gave Magda a commanding 4-1* lead, and by the time she led 5-2*, she had won 9 points in a row on serve!

Serving for the match at *5-3, Magda dropped the first point, but hit two aces in a row, and soon had her first match-point at 40/30. But she hit a forehand long and sank to her knees, then her sliced backhand approach clipped the netcord and fell back on her side to give Zheng break-point, which Zheng converted with a backhand winner down the line.

Zheng looked like extending the match at *4-5 (30/0), but Magda hit an off-forehand volley-winner off an awkward low ball, and an off-backhand return-winner to reach her second match-point. She lofted a forehand just long, but a deep error-forcing forehand return gave her a third match-point, which she converted when Zheng netted a forehand.

First set

RYBÁR @*   * * * *T 7(12)
ZHENG   *@* * * *   6(10)

The match started at 18:51 BST.

Zheng serving 0-0: Magda punished a second serve with a crosscourt forehand return-winner. 0/15. Magda went to the net, and Zheng hit a crosscourt backhand pass wide. 0/30. Zheng forehand long. 0/40 (BP). Magda punished a short second serve with a forehand return-winner just inside the baseline.

Magda serving 1-0: Magda hit a backhand onto the baseline, but it was called long. 0/15. Magda went to the net behind a crosscourt forehand, forcing Zheng to hit a forehand pass wide. 15/15. Magda's deep crosscourt forehand forced Zheng to net a forehand. 30/15. Service-winner out wide. 40/15. Magda hit another service-winner out wide, and was ready to serve and volley had it come back.

Zheng serving 0-2: Magda went to the net, her forehand volley forcing Zheng to hit a forehand pass wide. 0/15. Magda forehand just long. 15/15. Magda off-forehand winner onto the sideline. 15/30. Zheng hit a crosscourt backhand onto the sideline, forcing Magda to hit a crosscourt backhand wide. 30/30. Zheng hit a crosscourt forehand onto the sideline, but it was called wide. 30/40 (BP). Magda opened up the court with a crosscourt forehand, but netted a forehand down the line. Deuce. Magda netted a forehand. Ad Zheng. Her depth forced Magda to net a backhand.

Magda serving 2-1: Double fault (second serve long). 0/15. Zheng's crosscourt backhand + crosscourt forehand forced Magda to hit a forehand long. 0/30. Zheng hit a crosscourt forehand winner just inside the sideline. 0/40 (BP #1). Zheng netted a backhand on the fourth stroke. 15/40 (BP #2). A low-bouncing ball from Zheng forced Magda to run wide to her left and earth a backhand, giving Zheng the break back.

Zheng serving 2-2: Magda hit a crosscourt forehand into the corner, forcing Zheng to net a forehand. 0/15. Magda netted a forehand return. 15/15. Serve out wide + crosscourt backhand winner. Magda muttered in Slovak. 30/15. Zheng netted a forehand. 30/30. Magda hit an off-forehand winner onto the sideline with a puff of titanium pigment. 30/40 (BP #1). Backhand return long. Deuce #1. Magda's deep down-the-line forehand return forced Zheng to hit a crosscourt backhand wide. Ad Magda (BP #2). Zheng's depth forced Magda to net a backhand. Deuce #2. Zheng's depth forced Magda to net a sliced backhand. Ad Zheng. Magda hit a forehand just long, and muttered in Slovak.

Magda serving 2-3: Double fault (second serve just long). 0/15. A deep ball on the baseline from Zheng forced Magda to hit a forehand long. 0/30. Magda went to the net behind a sliced backhand down the line, but Zheng hit a down-the-line forehand pass-winner. 0/40 (BP #1). Off-backhand return long and wide. 15/40 (BP #2). Serve out wide forced Zheng to hit a crosscourt forehand return wide. 30/40 (BP #3). Magda hit a good backhand dropshot, forcing Zheng to net a backhand. Deuce. Ace out wide. Ad Magda. Serve out wide + crosscourt forehand forced Zheng to hit a forehand long.

Zheng serving 3-3: Zheng off-backhand winner down the line: just inside the baseline. 15/0. Zheng forehand long. 15/15. Zheng dispatched Magda's inadequate lob with a forehand smash-winner, and Magda muttered. 30/15. Zheng's depth forced Magda to hit a forehand very long. 40/15. Magda hit a great crosscourt forehand return, but Zheng replied with a crosscourt forehand into the corner, forcing Magda to net a forehand.

Magda serving 3-4: Double fault (second serve long). 0/15. Ace out wide: just inside the sideline. 15/15. Zheng netted a backhand. 30/15. Zheng backhand long. 40/15. Serve out wide + off-forehand winner.

Zheng serving 4-4: Serve out wide + crosscourt backhand winner. 15/0. Zheng forced a short ball, and dispatched it with an off-backhand winner down the line. 30/0. Magda went to the net, but her forehand volley clipped the netcord, giving Zheng a crosscourt forehand pass-winner. 40/0. Magda backhand long on the fourth stroke.

Magda serving 4-5: Magda netted a forehand. 0/15. Service-winner. 15/15. Zheng's deep down-the-line forehand return forced Magda to net a backhand; Magda shouted "ah". 15/30. Magda dumped a sliced backhand into the bottom of the net. 15/40 (Zheng SP #1). Magda saved it with a good serve to force a short return, which she dispatched with an off-forehand winner. 30/40 (Zheng SP #2). Magda spread Zheng with a serve out wide, a ball into Zheng's forehand-corner, and a high off-forehand volley-winner. Deuce #1. Zheng off-backhand return-winner. Ad Zheng (SP #3). Ace out wide. Deuce #2. Ace down the middle hit the centre-line with a puff of titanium pigment. Ad Magda. Serve out wide forced Zheng to hit a backhand return wide.

Zheng serving 5-5: Service-winner down the middle. 15/0. Magda off-forehand wide. 30/0. Magda went for an off-forehand winner, but it was just wide. 40/0. Magda hit a wild forehand return very long.

Zheng called her coach onto court.

Magda serving 5-6: Magda's high forehand volley crosscourt forced Zheng to net a forehand. 15/0. Magda served and volleyed, hitting a crosscourt forehand volley-winner from no-man's-land. 30/0. Service-winner out wide. 40/0. Magda netted a forehand on the third stroke. 40/15. Zheng netted a forehand on the fourth stroke.

6-6 tiebreak (all scores Rybáriková/Zheng):
{0/0*} Magda sliced a backhand just wide.
{*0/1} Magda serve out wide + off-backhand volley-winner.
{*1/1} Double fault (second serve just long and just wide).
{1/2*} Off-forehand return just wide.
{1/3*} Zheng forehand long.
{*2/3} Magda netted a backhand, and muttered.
{*2/4} Ace out wide: on the sideline.
{3/4*} Serve down the middle forced Magda to net a forehand return.
{3/5*} Zheng netted a forehand.
{*4/5} Serve out wide + crosscourt forehand volley-winner.
{*5/5} Deep serve out wide forced Zheng to net a forehand return.
{6/5*: Magda SP #1} Zheng's backhand clipped the netcord and dropped dead for a winner! Magda smiled, and then muttered.
{6/6*} Everyone thought Zheng's backhand was long earlier in the rally, but she lost the point anyway when she netted a backhand.
{*7/6: Magda SP #2} Zheng's deep forehand return forced Magda to earth a forehand half-volley.
{*7/7} Magda's crosscourt forehand forced Zheng to net a forehand.
{8/7*: Magda SP #3} Magda netted a cheap backhand return.
{8/8*} Zheng's crosscourt backhand forced Magda to hit a down-the-line backhand wide.
{*8/9: Zheng SP #4} Magda went to the net behind a sliced backhand down the line, and saved the set-point with a crosscourt backhand volley-winner.
{*9/9} Serve out wide + error-forcing crosscourt forehand.
{10/9*: Magda SP #4} Magda forehand down the line just wide.
{10/10*} Magda ran down a dropshot, and hit a crosscourt forehand pass-winner onto the sideline.
{*11/10: Magda SP #5} Ace down the middle. Magda won the first set 7-6 (12/10) at 19:48 BST (57m).

Magda called her coach (Mojmír Mihal) onto court.

Second set

RYBÁR * *@* *  @ 6
ZHENG  *   * *@  4

Magda serving 0-0: Zheng's forehand clipped the netcord and fell back on her side. 15/0. Serve out wide + crosscourt forehand volley-winner. 30/0. Backhand return long. 40/0. Double fault (second serve just wide). 40/15. Magda hit a forehand down the line, but left a big gap to her left, which Zheng exploited with a crosscourt backhand winner. 40/30. Serve out wide forced Zheng to hit a backhand return wide.

Zheng serving 0-1: Zheng painted the sideline with a short-angled crosscourt backhand winner. 15/0. Magda hit a forehand return-winner down Zheng's forehand-sideline. 15/15. Zheng hit a forehand smash-winner down the line. 30/15. Zheng's depth forced Magda to dump a backhand halfway up the net. 40/15. Magda netted a backhand dropshot from the baseline.

Magda serving 1-1: Service-winner out wide: just inside the sideline. 15/0. Ace down the middle: just inside the centre-line. 30/0. Zheng netted an off-backhand. 40/0. Magda got caught in no-man's-land as Zheng hit a crosscourt forehand winner. 40/15. Zheng netted a backhand.

Zheng serving 1-2: Magda forehand long. 15/0. Zheng hit a backhand very long on the third stroke. 15/15. Zheng netted a forehand. 15/30. Magda went to the net, but Zheng hit a crosscourt forehand pass-winner. 30/30. Magda's good return forced Zheng to hit a forehand long. 30/40 (BP). Zheng netted a forehand.

Magda serving 3-1: Ace down the middle: amazing kick! 15/0. Ace down the middle. 30/0. Ace out wide: on the sideline. 40/0. Ace down the middle: on the centre-line (I must admit it looked wide to me).

Zheng called her coach onto court.

Zheng serving 1-4: Magda netted a backhand return. 15/0. Zheng hit a down-the-line forehand onto the baseline, forcing Magda to net a backhand. 30/0. Magda hit a wild forehand very long. 40/0. Zheng sneezed, then served a double fault (second serve just long). 40/15. Magda backhand just long.

Magda serving 4-2: Serve out wide: Zheng netted a forehand return. 15/0. Magda hit a deep forehand onto the baseline, forcing Zheng to hit a crosscourt backhand wide. 30/0. Magda's deep crosscourt backhand forced Zheng to earth a backhand. 40/0. Serve out wide + off-forehand winner.

Magda has now won nine points in a row on her serve!

Zheng serving 2-5: Magda forehand very long. 15/0. Magda punished a second serve with a crosscourt forehand return-winner. 15/15. Backhand return long. Magda muttered. 30/15. Backhand return long again. 40/15. Magda slipped, and hit a forehand long.

Magda serving 5-3: Zheng's deep, low-bouncing ball forced Magda to net a forehand. 0/15. Ace down the middle. 15/15. Ace down the middle. 30/15. Zheng played a good rally, finishing with a crosscourt backhand volley-winner. 30/30. Zheng netted a backhand return. 40/30 (MP #1). Magda hit a forehand long, and sank to her knees. Deuce. Magda went to the net behind a sliced backhand, but it clipped the netcord and fell back on her side. Ad Zheng (BP). Zheng broke back with a backhand winner down the line.

It was so cold now. Magda called her coach onto court.

Zheng serving 4-5: Magda forehand long. 15/0. Zheng's depth forced Magda to net a forehand. 30/0. Magda went to the net, and dealt with a low ball by hitting an off-forehand volley-winner! 30/15. Zheng backhand long. 30/30. Magda hit a short-angled off-backhand return-winner just inside the sideline. 30/40 (MP #2). Magda lofted a forehand just long. Deuce. Magda's deep forehand return forced Zheng to hit a crosscourt backhand wide. Ad Magda (MP #3). Zheng netted a forehand. Magda won 7-6 (12/10) 6-4 at 20:25 BST (second set 37m, match 1h34m).

+ MAGDALÉNA RYBÁRIKOVÁ [13,EF] d. Urszula Radwanska, 6-3 6-3

A mouthwatering match between two attractive all-court players, and a delightful performance by Magda, which I think would have been enough to induct her into my Eternal Fanship even if she hadn't gone on to win the tournament! :)

Even in the very first game, Magda showed a wide range of her talent: spreading rallies, groundstroke-winners (crosscourt, down-the-line and off-forehand winners), touch (a backhand dropshot-winner), net-play (a forehand drop-volley winner), athleticism (running down a dropshot to hit a winner), and mixing up the pace (neutering Urszula's initiative with some sliced backhands). The only thing not in good working order was Magda's backhand. Magda had two break-points, but Urszula held serve.

Magda opened the second game with an ace down the middle, but had to save a break-point and come through four deuces before she held for 1-1*, showing us a jumping forehand smash, a forehand smash-winner and a beautiful gliding off-backhand volley-winner in the process.

Urszula held to love, but so did Magda for 2-2* with three winners: a forehand smash-winner, a crosscourt forehand winner, and a backhand dropshot-winner. Magda held for 3-3* with a backhand volley-winner and a forehand smash-winner.

Magda broke for *4-3 on a double fault, but she deserved the break after hitting a pinpoint down-the-line forehand winner and a one-handed (after running down a dropshot) crosscourt backhand winner.

A couple of unsuccessful forays to the net put Magda 0/30 down, but she recovered with a backhand drop-volley winner, and came through two deuces with two serve-and-volley winners (both crosscourt backhand volleys) to hold for 5-3*.

Magda's depth forced a couple of errors from Urszula, and she broke to love to take the first set when Urszula hit a crosscourt backhand well wide.

Magda opened the second set with a comfortable hold to 15 (after winning nine points in a row). She hit a crosscourt backhand volley-winner to give herself break-points at 1-0* (40/15*), but Urszula saved one with a fading serve out wide, and won the next two points with error-forcing net-approaches before securing a vital hold for 1-1*.

Magda held for 2-1* with two off-forehand winners and a serve-and-volley (crosscourt forehand volley) winner. She then broke to 15 for *3-1, courtesy of four errors - two of which can be attributed to Magda's depth.

Magda came through an epic service-game of five deuces at *3-1. She recovered from 15/30 with an off-forehand winner on the sideline, then hit a crosscourt forehand volley-winner. She faced one break-point, but saved it with an error-forcing serve and volley. She hit a backhand dropshot-winner, a backhand pass-winner, an ace onto the junction of centre-line and service-line, and converted her fifth game-point with an off-forehand winner for 4-1*.

Magda hit a forehand smash-winner, but couldn't stop Urszula holding for 2-4*. Magda held to love for 5-2* with a down-the-line forehand pass-winner, an off-forehand winner, and a crosscourt backhand volley-winner.

Urszula held to 15 for 3-5*, sealed with an ace. But Magda served out the match to love, with an off-forehand winner just inside the sideline, a service-winner down the middle to reach match-point, and a service-winner out wide to convert it.

First set

RYBÁRIKOV  * * *@*@ 6
RADWANSKA * * *     3

The match was fourth on Centre Court, and started at 17:12 BST. Magda won the toss and elected to receive.

Urszula serving 0-0: Magda dumped a forehand return halfway up the net. 15/0. Magda crosscourt backhand + crosscourt forehand winner. 15/15. Magda ran down a dropshot, and hit an off-forehand winner down the line. 15/30. Magda ran around her backhand and hit an off-forehand wide. 30/30. Magda netted a forehand. 40/30. Magda hit a high off-forehand drop-volley winner. Deuce #1. Magda hit a crosscourt forehand just inside the sideline, forcing Urszula to net a forehand. Ad Magda (BP #1). Magda missed a sliced backhand, and said "ai ai ai". Deuce #2. Magda neutered Urszula's early initiative with a sliced backhand, and hit a backhand dropshot-winner. Ad Magda (BP #2). Magda sliced backhand approach long. Deuce #3. Magda netted a backhand return. Ad Urszula. Magda dumped a backhand halfway up the net.

Magda serving 0-1: Ace down the middle. 15/0. Magda thought she hit a crosscourt backhand winner on the run, but it was just wide. "What?" she said. 15/15. Urszula forehand just long. 30/15. On the third stroke, Magda hit a forehand just long, and reacted with a cute Bojangles jump. 30/30. First serve down the middle induced Urszula to net a forehand return. 40/30. On the third stroke, Magda hit a backhand very long, and said "ah". Deuce #1. Serve out wide forced a short return, which Magda dispatched with an off-forehand winner. Ad Magda. She netted a forehand on the third stroke. Deuce #2. Magda sliced a backhand down the line just wide on the third stroke. Ad Urszula (BP). Urszula forced a short ball, but hit an off-forehand wide. Magda asked for a towel. Deuce #3. Urszula netted a forehand dropshot. Ad Magda. Urszula punished an inadequate forehand dropshot with a crosscourt backhand dropshot-winner; Magda said "no". Deuce #4. Serve out wide + jumping off-forehand smash + crosscourt forehand smash-winner. Ad Magda. Serve out wide + beautiful gliding off-backhand volley-winner.

Urszula serving 1-1: Urszula hit a first serve right on the junction of sideline and service-line, but it was called out and then overruled, so they had to replay the point. Magda went to the net, but hit a low-percentage high backhand volley long. 15/0. Urszula spread Magda and went to the net, forcing Magda to hit a crosscourt forehand pass wide. 30/0. Urszula crosscourt backhand + crosscourt forehand winner just inside the sideline. 40/0. Magda went to the net, but Urszula hit a crosscourt backhand pass-winner.

Magda serving 1-2: Serve out wide + crosscourt backhand + forehand smash-winner. 15/0. Serve out wide + crosscourt forehand winner just inside the sideline. 30/0. Magda hit a short second serve, but made up for it with a backhand dropshot-winner on the third stroke. 40/0. Urszula netted a forehand return.

Urszula serving 2-2: Magda ran down Urszula's high-bouncing high drop-volley, and Urszula netted a forehand dropshot. 0/15. Serve + crosscourt backhand winner. 15/15. Magda slapped a forehand return into the net. 30/15. Magda went to the net, but Urszula's dipping crosscourt forehand pass forced Magda to net an awkward low forehand volley. 40/15. Magda netted an off-backhand return.

Magda serving 2-3: Urszula hit a forehand return that I thought was just long, but I guess it must have been a winner, because the next score was 0/15. Magda high backhand crosscourt volley-winner. 15/15. Magda's backhand dropshot forced Urszula to net a forehand. 30/15. Serve out wide + off-forehand smash-winner. 40/15. Urszula's deep forehand forced Magda to hit a forehand long. 40/30. Magda hit a deep backhand just inside the baseline, forcing Urszula to hit an off-backhand wide.

Urszula serving 3-3: Magda painted the sideline with a down-the-line forehand winner. 0/15. Urszula pinned Magda back, and hit a forehand dropshot-winner. 15/15. Urszula forced Magda to retreat from the net, then Urszula went to the net herself behind a crosscourt forehand, forcing Magda to net a forehand. 30/15. Magda ran down a dropshot very well, and hit a one-handed crosscourt backhand winner just inside the sideline. 30/30. Urszula hit a wild forehand very long and wide. 30/40 (BP). Double fault (second serve long).

Magda serving 4-3 (new balls): Magda tried to serve and volley, but Urszula's down-the-line forehand pass forced Magda to hit a high backhand volley wide. 0/15. Magda went to the net behind a crosscourt forehand, but Urszula hit a crosscourt forehand pass-winner. 0/30. Urszula earthed a sliced backhand drop-volley. 15/30. Magda high backhand crosscourt drop-volley winner. 30/30. Urszula netted a forehand return, and muttered emotionally. 40/30. Urszula crosscourt forehand + off-forehand winner down the line. Deuce #1. Serve out wide + crosscourt backhand volley-winner. Ad Magda. Urszula neutered a big serve with a backhand lob-return that landed on the baseline, and Magda netted a backhand. Deuce #2. Serve out wide + crosscourt backhand forced Urszula to hit a running backhand down the line wide. Ad Magda. Serve out wide + crosscourt backhand volley-winner deep into the corner. Magda pumped her fist and said "c'mon".

Urszula serving 3-5: Magda's deep crosscourt backhand return forced Urszula to net a backhand. 0/15. Magda's forehand clipped the baseline with a puff of titanium pigment, forcing Urszula to hit a crosscourt forehand wide. Urszula muttered. 0/30. Urszula netted a forehand dropshot (Magda ran for it very well, even though it wasn't necessary). 0/40 (SP #1). Urszula, driven wide, hit a crosscourt backhand wide of the doubles-sideline. Magda won the first set 6-3 at 17:51 BST (39m).

Second set

RYBÁRIKOV * *@* * * 6
RADWANSKA  *   * *  3

Magda serving 0-0: Urszula forehand long. 15/0. Service-winner out wide. 30/0. Serve out wide forced Urszula to stretch and net a forehand return. Magda has won the last nine points. 40/0. Magda went to the net, but Urszula hit a forehand pass-winner down the line. 40/15. Urszula dumped a backhand halfway up the net.

Urszula serving 0-1: A long rally ended with Urszula hitting a forehand long and wide. 0/15. Service-winner out wide. 15/15. Double fault (second serve into the net). Urszula muttered. 15/30. Magda crosscourt backhand + crosscourt backhand volley-winner back behind Urszula. 15/40 (BP #1). Serve out wide faded away, forcing Magda to earth a forehand return. 30/40 (BP #2). Urszula went to the net behind a crosscourt backhand, forcing Magda to net a backhand. Deuce. Urszula went to the net behind a deep backhand, forcing Magda to net a forehand. Ad Urszula. Magda netted a cheap forehand return.

Magda serving 1-1: Serve out wide forced Urszula to net a forehand return. 15/0. Serve down the middle - just inside the centre-line - forced a short return, which Magda dispatched with an off-forehand winner. 30/0. Magda netted a forehand. 30/15. Serve out wide + off-forehand winner back behind Urszula. 40/15. Double fault (second serve into the net). 40/30. Serve out wide + crosscourt forehand volley-winner - Urszula jumped in frustration as she ran for it.

Urszula serving 1-2: Urszula forehand just long. 0/15. Magda's depth forced Urszula to hit a forehand long. 0/30. Serve out wide forced Magda to hit a forehand return wide and very long. 15/30. Magda's depth forced Urszula to dump a backhand halfway up the net. 15/40 (BP). Urszula opened up the court with a serve out wide, but hit a crosscourt backhand wide to go a set and a break down.

Magda serving 3-1: Service-winner out wide. 15/0. Urszula's off-forehand caused Magda to slip, and Urszula hit a crosscourt forehand volley-winner just inside the sideline. 15/15. Magda ran down a dropshot, but hit a crosscourt backhand wide. 15/30. Magda painted the sideline with an off-forehand winner. 30/30. Magda went to the net, showed a long arm to hit a crosscourt backhand volley, and hit a crosscourt forehand volley-winner. 40/30. A good serve forced a short return, but Magda hit an off-forehand wide, and shouted "Ah!" Deuce #1. Urszula's deep, low-bouncing return induced Magda to net a sliced backhand. Ad Urszula (BP #1). Serve out wide + crosscourt forehand volley forced Urszula to net a running forehand pass. Deuce #2. Serve out wide forced a very short forehand return that landed on the outside edge of the sideline; Magda hit a backhand dropshot-winner. Ad Magda. Urszula's crosscourt forehand pushed Magda into the tramlines, forcing her to net a forehand. Deuce #3. Service-winner down the middle. Ad Magda. There was a terrible example of Magda running around her backhand to hit a forehand... Magda ran down a dropshot, and Urszula hit a down-the-line forehand pass-winner. Deuce #4. Urszula went to the net, but Magda hit a down-the-line backhand pass-winner. Ad Magda. Double fault (second serve long). Magda yelled in Slovak. Deuce #5. Ace down the middle: on the junction of centre-line and service-line! Magda said "podme". Ad Magda. Magda held with an off-forehand winner.

Urszula serving 1-4: Deep serve forced Magda to hit a forehand return long. 15/0. Urszula netted a backhand on the third stroke. 15/15. Magda got caught in no-man's-land: she netted a high backhand volley. 30/15. Magda forced a short floater, and dispatched it with an off-forehand smash-winner. 30/30. Magda ran down a dropshot, but netted a backhand dropshot at the net. 40/30. Off-forehand return just wide.

Magda serving 4-2: Magda drew Urszula to the net with a crosscourt forehand dropshot, and hit a down-the-line forehand pass-winner. 15/0. Serve out wide induced Urszula to net a backhand return. Urszula muttered. 30/0. Serve out wide forced a short return; Magda showed lovely footwork to hit an off-forehand winner. 40/0. Serve out wide + crosscourt backhand volley-winner back behind Urszula.

Urszula serving 2-5 (new balls): Magda came out early from the changeover. Urszula went to the net; Magda ran down a dropshot, but netted a sliced backhand. 15/0. Urszula's deep sliced backhand down the line forced Magda to net a forehand. 30/0. Urszula went for an off-backhand winner on the third stroke, but it was just wide. 30/15. Urszula dropped a ball as she prepared to serve. Magda hit a backhand return long. 40/15. Ace down the middle: on the centre-line.

Magda serving 5-3: Forehand return long. Urszula muttered. 15/0. Serve out wide + off-forehand winner just inside the sideline. 30/0. Serve down the middle forced Urszula to net a forehand. 40/0 (MP #1). Serve out wide forced Urszula to hit a backhand return wide. Magda won 6-3 6-3 at 18:27 (second set 36m, match 1h15m).

Magda's on-court interview: "It was a very tough match. I was tired. I started very well, played sometimes very aggressively, sometimes not. Grass is my favourite surface. It's gonna be very tough - I lost to Sania Mirza in two sets at Pattaya. The weather is not great this week, but the people are good. I beat a very good player. Hopefully tomorrow I'll be fine."

Article

Asian Stars, Sharapova into SFs (www.sonyericssonwtatour.com)
>>>
Sania Mirza - who was once ranked in the top 30, but has fallen to No.98 after a patchy last 12 months of injury-troubles - was the second woman into the semi-finals, taking No.16 seed Melinda Czink out 6-1 7-6(4).

Rybáriková is trying to reach the final of a Tour-event for the first time in her career.
<<<

+ MAGDALÉNA RYBÁRIKOVÁ [13,EF] d. Sania Mirza [DF], 3-6 6-0 6-3

Magda hit plenty of winners as she took a *2-1 lead, but none for the rest of the first set, as Sania had her way with her crosscourt groundstrokes of flairsome power.

After that, though, Magda frustrated Sania by mixing up the pace, inducing Sania to go for big shots into the corners and miss. Magda also hit three aces, two dropshot-winners, and four other forehand winners in the last two sets. With this win, Magda reached her first-ever WTA Tour final (having lost three previous semi-finals).

Sania opened the match with a hold to 15, sealed with an ace down the middle. Magda held to 30 with an ace down the middle and a forehand smash-winner.

Magda broke to love, hitting a delectable crosscourt backhand dropshot-winner, and a forehand pass-winner down the line for *2-1. But Magda hit two backhands just long to trail 0/30, and Sania broke back to 15 with a crosscourt forehand return-winner.

That started a four-game winning-streak for Sania. She held to 15 with an ace out wide and a crosscourt forehand winner for 3-2*. She broke to 30 for *4-2 - courtesy of a quadruple fault and two backhand-errors from Magda. Sania held to love for 5-2* with two crosscourt backhand winners and two forced errors.

Magda stopped the rot with a solid hold to 30 - despite a crosscourt forehand return-winner off a first serve out wide! - forcing Sania to serve for the first set at *5-3.

Sania played a strong service-game with a high off-forehand drop-volley winner onto the sideline to give herself three set-points at 40/0. And she needed all three, as she double-faulted on the first, and Magda hit a deep, error-forcing backhand return on the second. But Magda then netted a backhand return to drop the first set.

Sania played very poorly in the second set, it has to be said. First, though, she reached break-points at 0-0* (40/15*) with a down-the-line forehand pass-winner - only for Magda to save the first with a deep, error-forcing backhand; Sania then made two unforced errors, and Magda held with a crosscourt forehand half-volley dropshot-winner.

Magda broke to 30 for *2-0 - courtesy of two double faults and two forced errors. She held to 30 for 3-0* - thanks to an ace and two service-winners.

Magda reached more break-points at 3-0* (40/15*) after Sania double-faulted, netted a forehand smash, and was forced into error. Sania recovered to Deuce with a dead netcord-winner, but two unforced errors gave Magda the double break for *4-0.

Sania reached break-point at 0-4* (40/30*) after hitting an off-forehand volley-winner and another dead netcord-winner, but let Magda off the hook with three more unforced errors.

Sania made two more double faults and an unforced error to give Magda set-point at 5-0* (40/15*), and Magda converted it in style with a crosscourt forehand winner onto the sideline.

Magda opened the third set with a hold to 30, with a crosscourt forehand winner and an ace out wide. She broke to 30 for *2-0, courtesy of a forehand winner down Sania's forehand-line, a double fault and two cheap errors from Sania. Magda had won eight games in a row!

But Magda played a poor service-game to get broken back to love for 2-1* - after a double fault, and a poor dropshot to give Sania a crosscourt forehand winner. Sania held to 40 for 2-2* with a forehand smash-winner, and another crosscourt forehand winner off a dropshot.

Sania hit a crosscourt backhand pass-winner, but Magda held to 30 for 3-2*, the depth of her serve and of her forehands forcing Sania into three errors.

Magda really should have broken for *4-2. She started the 3-2* game with a dropshot + down-the-line forehand pass-winner, saved one game-point, and had three nonconsecutive break-points: she sprayed an easy forehand wide on the first, Sania saved the second with an ace out wide, and Sania's depth forced Magda into error on the third, and again on game-point as Sania held for 3-3*.

But Sania offered little resistance as Magda won the last three games. Magda held to love for 4-3*, courtesy of a service-winner and three unforced errors. Magda broke to 15 for *5-3, thanks to a backhand dropshot-winner, a double fault, and forcing Sania to hit a backhand lob long.

With Magda serving for the match at *5-3, Sania hit a down-the-line forehand winner and a crosscourt forehand pass-winner to put Magda at 15/30, but Magda hit two service-winners to reach match-point, and sealed victory with an ace out wide!

First set

RYBÁR  *@    *  3
MIRZA *  @*@* * 6

The match was second on Centre Court, and started at 13:55 BST. During the warm-up, the MC called Magda "a female Indiana Jones" - a reference to her interest in archaeology, which she would like to study if she wasn't a tennis-player.

Sania serving 0-0: Magda netted a forehand return. 15/0. Magda netted a backhand return. 30/0. Double fault (second serve into the net). 30/15. Magda dumped a soft off-forehand return into the net. 40/15. Ace down the middle.

Magda serving 0-1: Magda off-backhand dropshot wide. 0/15. Ace down the middle. 15/15. Sania backhand long. 30/15. Magda netted a forehand on the third stroke. 30/30. Crosscourt backhand return wide. 40/30. Deep serve forced a very short forehand return, which Magda dispatched with a crosscourt forehand smash-winner.

Sania serving 1-1: Sania crosscourt backhand wide on the third stroke. 0/15. Magda went to the net, and dispatched Sania's weak crosscourt backhand pass with a delectable crosscourt backhand dropshot-winner. 0/30. Double fault (second serve into the bottom of the net). 0/40 (BP). Sania went to the net behind a forehand netcord, but Magda broke with a forehand pass-winner down the line.

Magda serving 2-1: Magda hit a backhand just long, and complained about the call. 0/15. Magda hit a sliced backhand approach just long. 0/30. Sania crosscourt forehand wide. 15/30. Sania's deep forehand down the line forced Magda to hit a crosscourt backhand wide. 15/40 (BP). Serve down the middle: Sania broke back with a crosscourt forehand return-winner.

Sania serving 2-2: A low-bouncing ball on the baseline forced Magda to net a backhand. 15/0. Ace out wide. 30/0. Magda forehand long. 40/0. Magda's deep crosscourt backhand return forced Sania to hit a down-the-line backhand just wide. 40/15. Sania hit a crosscourt forehand winner just inside the sideline.

Magda serving 2-3: Magda backhand just long. 0/15. Magda's deep crosscourt forehand forced Sania to hit a forehand very long. 15/15. Double fault (second serve long). 15/30. Quadruple fault (second serve just long). 15/40 (BP #1). Sania's crosscourt forehand was wide by a whisker - Magda was unwise to leave it! 30/40 (BP #2). Magda sliced a backhand down the line wide, putting Sania a break ahead.

Sania serving 4-2: Serve out wide + crosscourt backhand winner. "It was out!" cried Magda. 15/0. Sania went to the net behind a hard backhand down the line, and Magda netted a forehand pass three strokes later. 30/0. Serve out wide forced a short return, which Sania dispatched with a crosscourt backhand winner onto the sideline. 40/0. Sania's deep forehand down the line forced Magda to net a backhand.

Magda serving 2-5 (new balls): Magda went to the net, but earthed a backhand smash. 0/15. Deep serve down the middle forced Sania to net a forehand return. 15/15. Magda's forehand down the line forced Sania to net a backhand. 30/15. Wild forehand return long. 40/15. First serve out wide: Sania nailed a crosscourt forehand return-winner just inside the baseline! 40/30. Service-winner down the middle.

Sania serving 5-3: Deep serve out wide forced Magda to hit a forehand lob-return long. 15/0. Sania's deep forehand down the line - just inside the baseline - forced Magda to bunt a crosscourt backhand wide. 30/0. Sania went to the net, and hit a high off-forehand drop-volley winner onto the sideline! 40/0 (SP #1). Sania went for an ace down the middle, but it was just long. She hit her second serve down the middle too, but it went wide for a double fault. 40/15 (SP #2). Magda's deep backhand return forced Sania to hit an off-forehand wide. 40/30 (SP #3). Magda netted a backhand return. Sania won the first set 6-3 at 14:23 BST (28m).

Second set

RYBÁR *@*@*@ 6
MIRZA        0

Magda serving 0-0: Magda jumped into a backhand down the line, hitting it long. 0/15. Magda's delectable crosscourt backhand dropshot forced Sania to net a running backhand. 15/15. Deep forehand return down the line forced Magda to earth a down-the-line backhand. 15/30. Serve out wide + crosscourt forehand; Magda went to the net, but Sania hit a down-the-line forehand pass-winner. Magda said: "On the line - this is the third time!" 15/40 (BP #1). Magda's deep backhand forced Sania to earth a backhand. 30/40 (BP #2). First serve down the middle: Sania netted a forehand return. Deuce. Sania forehand just long. Ad Magda. Magda, on the third stroke, hit a crosscourt forehand half-volley dropshot-winner.

Sania serving 0-1: Double fault (second serve long). 0/15. Magda's deep off-forehand return forced Sania to hit a crosscourt backhand wide. 0/30. Magda dumped a forehand return halfway up the net, and said "ah!" 15/30. Double fault (weak second serve into the net). 15/40 (BP #1). Serve out wide: Magda hit a makeable down-the-line forehand return wide. 30/40 (BP #2). Magda broke with a crosscourt backhand + down-the-line backhand that forced Sania to hit a down-the-line forehand wide.

Magda serving 2-0: Sania netted a backhand. 15/0. First serve down the middle: forehand return wide. 30/0. Sania's crosscourt forehand forced Magda to hit a crosscourt forehand wide. Magda muttered. 30/15. Magda netted an off-forehand on the third stroke. 30/30. Ace down the middle: on the centre-line with a puff of titanium pigment. 40/30. Big first serve out wide forced Sania to net a backhand, but I got the impression that Magda jarred her left ankle.

Sania called her coach onto court.

Sania serving 0-3: Sania's deep crosscourt forehand forced Magda to hit a defensive forehand lob just long. 15/0. Double fault (long by a whisker). 15/15. Sania forced a floater, but netted a forehand smash. 15/30. Magda's deep crosscourt backhand forced Sania to hit a down-the-line backhand wide. 15/40 (BP #1). Magda netted an off-backhand return. 30/40 (BP #2). Sania's forehand clipped the netcord and dropped dead for a winner. Deuce. Sania backhand long. Ad Magda (BP #3). Sania netted a crosscourt backhand to give Magda the double break.

Magda serving 4-0: Sania crosscourt backhand wide. 15/0. Down-the-line backhand return wide. 30/0. Magda, driven wide, netted a forehand. 30/15. Sania went to the net and hit an off-forehand volley-winner. 30/30. Sania's forehand clipped the netcord and dropped dead for a winner; Magda tried to kick it, but missed and muttered. 30/40 (BP). Sania backhand just long. Deuce. Sania netted a backhand on the fourth stroke. Ad Magda. Forehand return long.

Magda was distracted by a crying baby in that game.

Sania serving 0-5: Double fault (second serve just long). 0/15. Sania forehand just long on the third stroke. 0/30. Magda netted a forehand. 15/30. Double fault (second serve into the net). 15/40 (SP #1). Magda painted the sideline with a crosscourt forehand winner. Magda won the second set 6-0 at 14:47 BST (second set 24m, match so far 52m).

Sania took a bathroom-break, Magda called her coach onto court, then hit a few practice-serves as she waited for Sania to return, and the third set actually started at 14:51 BST.

Third set

RYBÁR *@  * *@* 6
MIRZA   @* *    3

Magda serving 0-0: Sania netted a forehand return. 15/0. Magda hit an off-forehand winner onto the sideline, but it was called wide. 15/15. Sania netted a forehand. 30/15. Magda broke up a crosscourt-backhand drill with a sliced backhand down the line + crosscourt forehand winner back behind Sania. 40/15. Magda, driven wide, slapped a forehand into the bottom of the net. 40/30. Ace out wide: on the sideline.

Sania serving 0-1 (new balls): Double fault (second serve long). 0/15. Magda off-forehand return onto the baseline + forehand winner down Sania's forehand-line. 0/30. Serve out wide: Magda netted a forehand return. 15/30. Sania opened up the court for a forehand down the line, but instead hit a wild off-forehand wide. 15/40 (BP #1). Backhand return just long. 30/40 (BP #2). Sania netted a cheap backhand on the third stroke to get broken.

Eight games in a row to Magda!

Magda serving 2-0: Double fault (second serve just long). 0/15. Magda hit a poor dropshot: Sania ran it down and hit a crosscourt forehand winner. 0/30. Sania hit a crosscourt forehand winner onto the baseline + off-forehand, forcing Magda to net a backhand. 0/40 (BP). Magda hit an off-forehand wide to give Sania the break back.

Magda called her coach onto court.

Sania serving 1-2: Sania forced a very short ball, and dispatched it with a forehand smash-winner. 15/0. Backhand return long. Six points in a row to Sania. 30/0. Magda went to the net behind a crosscourt forehand, forcing Sania to hit a down-the-line forehand long. 30/15. Sania backhand long on the third stroke. 30/30. Sania ran down a dropshot and hit a crosscourt forehand winner. 40/30. Sania crosscourt forehand very long. Deuce. Magda down-the-line forehand just wide. Ad Sania. Magda hit a crosscourt forehand wide, and complained.

Magda serving 2-2: Magda went to the net behind an off-forehand, but Sania hit a crosscourt backhand pass-winner. 0/15. Deep first serve out wide forced Sania to net a forehand return. 15/15. Serve out wide + down-the-line forehand forced Sania to hit a crosscourt backhand wide. 30/15. Sania's crosscourt forehand forced Magda to hit a forehand very long. 30/30. Magda's deep forehand forced Sania to chop a forehand long. 40/30. Sania crosscourt backhand wide.

Sania serving 2-3: Magda's crosscourt forehand dropshot drew Sania to the net, and Magda hit a down-the-line forehand pass-winner. 0/15. Magda hit a down-the-line forehand wide, and said "ah!" 15/15. Magda netted a sliced forehand return. 30/15. Magda's crosscourt forehand forced Sania to net a forehand. 30/30. Forehand return just long. 40/30. Sania's crosscourt forehand would have forced Magda into error, but it was just wide. Deuce #1. Magda hit a deep forehand down the line - just inside the baseline - forcing Sania to earth a backhand lob. Ad Magda (BP #1). Magda's deep forehand forced a short ball from Sania, but she sprayed an easy off-forehand wide. Deuce #2. On the third stroke, Sania sprayed a crosscourt backhand wide. Ad Magda (BP #2). Ace out wide. Deuce #3. Magda's depth induced Sania to hit a backhand long. Ad Magda (BP #3). Sania's depth forced Magda to hit a weak forehand down the line wide. Magda muttered. Deuce #4. Forehand return long. Ad Sania. She hit a deep forehand just inside the baseline, forcing Magda to hit a forehand long. Sania screamed "c'mon" and pumped her fist.

Magda serving 3-3: Serve down the middle forced Sania to net a forehand. 15/0. Sania crosscourt backhand wide. 30/0. Sania crosscourt forehand wide. 40/0. Sania hit a backhand long on the fourth stroke.

Sania serving 3-4: Serve out wide forced Magda to net a forehand return. 15/0. Magda ran down a dropshot and hit a backhand dropshot-winner. 15/15. A short ball from Magda induced Sania to earth a sliced backhand. 15/30. Double fault (second serve long). 15/40 (BP). After a very long, nailbiting rally, Magda's crosscourt backhand forced Sania to hit a backhand lob long, giving Magda a break to serve for the match.

Magda serving 5-3: Sania forehand winner down the line. 0/15. Sania forehand very long. 15/15. Magda went to the net behind a crosscourt forehand, but Sania hit a crosscourt forehand pass-winner. 15/30. First serve out wide forced Sania to mishit a crosscourt backhand very wide. 30/30. Service-winner out wide. 40/30 (MP #1). Ace out wide. Magda won 3-6 6-0 6-3 at 15:30 BST (third set 43m including Sania's bathroom-break, match 1h35m).

Magda's on-court interview: "Yeah, I was pretty nervous. In the first set, she played great. In the second set, I played very well. In the third set, I was nervous, but then I broke. The key was my serve.
            "Tomorrow will be very tough. She [Li,Na] beat Maria Sharapova, who is an unbelievable player because she won Wimbledon."

Articles

Li Stops Sharapova in SFs (www.sonyericssonwtatour.com)
>>>
Seeds stopped the runs of non-seeds at the AEGON Classic on Saturday, as Li,Na and Magdaléna Rybáriková got past Maria Sharapova and Sania Mirza to reach the final of the $220,000 event.

Li and Rybáriková have never played before. Rybáriková has had top-twenty wins before, though: a good omen for her as she takes on world No.20 Li; the Slovak has had her first three top-twenty wins this season: against Flavia Pennetta in Hobart, Caroline Wozniacki in Pattaya City, and Zheng,Jie this week.
<<<

Li to face Rybáriková in AEGON Classic final (LTA)
>>>
Na Li will meet Magdaléna Rybáriková in Sunday's AEGON Classic final at Edgbaston.

Sunday's final between Li and Rybáriková kicks off at 12:00, and will be followed by the doubles-final.
<<<

+ MAGDALÉNA RYBÁRIKOVÁ [13,EF] d. LI,NA [4], 6-0 7-6 (7/2)

Li was very nervous in the first set - especially at the net. Magda's main tactic was to keep the ball in play with a lack of pace that frustrated Li, inducing her to go for big shots and miss. Magda's dropshots also caused problems for Li. Magda hit just four clean winners in the first set: a dropshot, a smash, and two off-forehands.

In the second set, Magda got nervous, but continued to serve very well - she got through the whole match without being broken, although she had to save two set-points at *4-5! She hit two aces and five forehand winners in the second set (including two smashes and a drop-volley), and dominated the tiebreak despite feeling nervous by her own admission. It was her first WTA Tour final as well as title!

Magda started the match with an immediate break: a backhand dropshot-winner from the baseline gave her 40/15*, and although Li saved the first break-point with a forehand winner that caught the outside edge of the sideline, she hit an off-backhand wide on the second.

Magda held to 15 with a forehand smash-winner and an off-forehand winner to make it 2-0*. Li made three unforced errors off short balls for 15/40. Magda missed those break-points by netting returns, but an error-forcing dropshot gave her a third break-point, and an error-forcing crosscourt forehand gave her *3-0.

Magda held to 30 for 4-0* - courtesy of four mainly unforced errors from Li. It looked like Li might get on the scoreboard when a crosscourt forehand winner gave her 30/15, but Magda's awkward lob forced her to net a smash, and two unforced errors gave Magda *5-0.

Serving for the first set, Magda started with an off-forehand winner, and reached 40/0 with an error-forcing netcord. She double-faulted on the second set-point, but converted the second with a jumping backhand that forced Li to hit a backhand long.

Magda started the second set with an off-forehand winner, and Li's unforced errors gave Magda break-points at 40/15*. But Li saved the first with a virtual ace, and Magda squandered the second with a cheap return-error. Li won her first game of the match with a crosscourt forehand pass-winner and another return-error.

Magda hit an error-forcing dropshot and an ace down the middle as she held to love for 1-1*. She pegged Li back from 40/0 with a down-the-line forehand return-winner and excellent retrieval, but Li still held for 2-1* with a backhand winner and an ace.

Magda held to love for 2-2* with a back-pedalling forehand smash-winner that caught the outside edge of the sideline! Li held to 30 for 3-2*, and Magda held to love (three times in a row!) for 3-3* with an ace out wide and a forehand drop-volley winner.

Li held to 15 with a forehand volley-pass winner for 4-3*. Magda held to 30 for 4-4* with a couple of service-winners. Li held to love with a crosscourt forehand winner and a service-winner for 5-4*.

Serving to stay in the second set, Magda led 30/15 but served a double fault. Li reached set-point with a pinpoint forehand return-winner, but Magda saved it despite having to win the point twice. Li's backhand pass-winner gave her a second set-point, but Magda saved it with a forehand smash-winner, then hit two service-winners to level up at 5-5*.

Li held to 30 for 6-5*, forcing Magda to serve to stay in the set again. But this time there were no dramas, as Magda held to love with an ace down the middle and two service-winners to make it 6-6.

The tiebreak started with Li's forehand going long by a whisker, but she broke back immediately with a crosscourt forehand winner for 1/1*. Li made four unforced errors - including a forehand smash that clipped the netcord and fell back on her side to put Magda in the driver's seat at *5/1. A service-winner gave Magda five championship-points at 6/1*, and although she hit a backhand just long on the first one, Li did the same on the second to seal Magda's victory.

Li: "She played good. I tried my best tennis in the second set. I mean: nothing to say. Hopefully I can do well in Wimbledon. I more like grass-courts. It was the first time I beat Maria Sharapova - I was so exciting last night, I forgot I had a match today!"

Magda: "It's a great feeling - the best moment in my career, and I'm absolutely happy. I was very nervous, but not in the first set. In the second set, I was very nervous - actually in the tiebreak, but now it's absolutely great. I think I played great, and if I play like this, I can be a very good player. It was a very tough moment in the second set [the set-points], but I served very good all match. I was very tired [after beating Zheng,Jie in the third round], but now I feel very good, and I played good tennis also today."

It's so wonderful to see the Maud Watson trophy - the oldest in women's tennis, as it was originally awarded to the first-ever Women's Singles champion in 1884 - back in my Eternal Fanship for the first time since Vera Zvonarëva won it in 2006!

First set

RY @*@*@* 6
LI        0

As well as attending the match in person, I also acquired a DVD-copy of British Eurosport's transmission of the final, hence I have been able to enrich some of the point-descriptions, and add some transcriptions of the commentary.

The match was first on Centre Court, and started at 12:17 BST - a bit later than expected, as they apparently forgot to call the players onto court! Magda won the toss and elected to receive.

Li serving 0-0: On the third stroke, Li hit a backhand long. 0/15. On the fifth stroke, Li hit a forehand wide. 0/30. Deep first serve out wide forced Magda to hit a down-the-line forehand return long. 15/30. Magda hit a down-the-line backhand dropshot-winner - from the baseline! 15/40 (BP #1). Li's down-the-line forehand winner caught the outside edge of the sideline. 30/40 (BP #2). Li slugged an off-backhand wide of the tramlines, giving Magda an immediate break.

Sam Smith re. Magda: "She's got so much to her game. Yes, she's 20, and she hasn't come through nearly as quickly as her contemporaries Wozniacki, Urszula Radwanska, but you can understand why. She's gonna serve and volley out here. She's got a bit of everything. It's quite something that she brings to the court.
            "And the question for me out here: the match that Li,Na would love is someone who hits straight up and down the court, and she can really get at the ball. Well, Rybáriková doesn't give that kind of ball. It's gonna be a bit of this, bit of that, and I wonder how the Chinese player's gonna cope with that."

Magda serving 1-0: First serve out wide forced Li to hit a down-the-line forehand return wide. 15/0. First serve down the middle: off-forehand return just wide. 30/0. A bad bounce forced Magda to hit a short ball that sat up nicely for Li to hit an off-forehand winner into the corner. 30/15. Magda's off-forehand forced a floater, which she dispatced with a crosscourt forehand smash-winner. 40/15. Serve out wide + off-forehand winner into the corner.

Sam Smith: "What's underpinned her game this week is how well she's served. High numbers of first serves in, and she goes for it - in the mid 60s - but also 37 aces in five matches - that's some going!"

Li serving 0-2: Body-jamming first serve: backhand return long. 15/0. Li forced a short ball, but hit a crosscourt forehand just wide. 15/15. Li forced a short ball and went for a short-angled crosscourt backhand winner onto the sideline, but it was just wide - and credit to Magda for retrieving some hard, wide balls in that rally. 15/30. Li netted a wild off-forehand off a short return. 15/40 (BP #1). Short second serve down the middle: Magda netted a backhand return. 30/40 (BP #2). Serve down the middle - just inside the centre-line - forced Magda to earth a forehand return that would also have been wide. Deuce. Magda pinned Li back with a deep crosscourt forehand, then hit a crosscourt backhand dropshot from behind the baseline, forcing Li to mishit a backhand very long. Sam Smith: "What lovely soft hands here from Rybáriková, just soaking up all the pressure. This is Li,Na's tennis-hell, being pulled around like this." Ad Magda (BP #3). Magda ran down a dropshot, and hit a crosscourt forehand that forced Li to bunt an off-forehand wide, giving Magda the double break.

David Mercer: "It's been a fabulous start for Magdaléna Rybáriková: bidding to become the first Slovak to win a title on the Tour since Daniela Hantuchová a couple of years ago. Very useful Fed Cup team they have now, with Rybáriková, Dominika Cibulková and Hantuchová."
Sam Smith: "I have a feeling that this young lady might be the woman leading Slovak tennis in the next few years. It's just taken her a little bit longer than her contemporaries just to start putting it all together. She's got pace; for someone who's 5'11", she gets about the court well; she reads the game beautifully. Everything about her is so efficient: there's hardly any swing at all, so that makes her also very tough to read - you're not getting many clues from the racket-face."

Magda serving 3-0: Li went to the net behind a deep crosscourt backhand onto the baseline, forcing Magda hit a crosscourt backhand pass wide. 0/15. On the fourth stroke, Li hit a down-the-line forehand long and wide, and muttered. 15/15. First serve down the middle - on the centre-line - forced Li to bunt a forehand return long. 30/15. Li sprayed a wild forehand drive-volley long and wide. David Mercer: "That's great scrambling, too, from Rybáriková - showing the lovely hands she can use in defence." 40/15. Li's depth forced Magda to hit a forehand very long. 40/30. First serve down the middle: forehand return long.

Sam Smith re. Magda: "I have a feeling that, as a youngster, she was all arms and legs, so she really learned to read with a very quick brain. But when she gets there, she's got the feel, and she's developed the speed over the last couple of years.
            "This is just horrible for Li,Na - completely out of her comfort-zone. Not being allowed to settle, can't find an early rhythm. She's such a rhythm-player, is Li,Na.
            "Playing Sania Mirza in the semi-final is perfect preparation for playing Li,Na, because they both hit the ball hard, flat, up and down the court, so she'd be very used to that kind of pace."Li serving 0-4: Li dumped a backhand halfway up the net. 0/15. First serve down the middle died away on Magda, forcing her to earth a forehand return. 15/15. Serve out wide + crosscourt forehand winner - off a pretty deep return, too. 30/15. Li went to the net behind a deep forehand down the line, but Magda's backhand lob forced Li to run back slightly and net a forehand smash. She muttered. 30/30. Serve out wide forced a floating forehand return, but Li hit an off-forehand wide. 30/40 (BP). Li netted a backhand to give Magda the triple break.

Magda serving 5-0: Kick second serve down the middle + off-forehand winner just inside the sideline. 15/0. Li took the initiative with a deep return + deep, aggressive forehand onto the baseline, but Magda's defence was excellent; a few strokes later, Li sliced an off-backhand onto the sideline, but it was called wide. David Mercer: "Incredible scrambling again. Li,Na must have thought: 'I must have won that point at least three times!'" Sam Smith: "Short swings from Rybáriková allow her to get round the court. She loosens off the grip, and is able to get the ball back into court. She's just got lovely, workable hands - really soft hands." 30/0. Magda's crosscourt forehand clipped the netcord, forcing Li to hit a forehand long. 40/0 (SP #1). Double fault #1 (second serve just long). David Mercer: "Human after all!" 40/15 (SP #2). Magda jumped into a crosscourt backhand that forced Li to hit a backhand long. Magda won the first set 6-0 at 12:39 BST (22m).

Both players called their coaches onto court.

Second set

RY  * * * * * *T 7(7)
LI * * * * * *   6(2)

Li serving 0-0: Li played a more conservative rally than she did in the first set, but that gave Magda the initiative to hit an off-forehand winner just inside the sideline. 0/15. Magda netted a forehand on the fourth stroke. 15/15. Li crosscourt backhand just wide on the third stroke. 15/30. Li netted a sliced backhand. David Mercer: "Just super hitting by Rybáriková: pace, depth, accuracy." 15/40 (BP #1). Virtual ace down the middle. 30/40 (BP #2). First serve: Magda hit an off-forehand return wide, and said "no". David Mercer: "For once, Rybáriková looking a little flat-footed - didn't move the feet at all." Deuce. Magda went to the net behind a crosscourt forehand that landed on the baseline, but Li hit a crosscourt forehand pass-winner. Ad Li. Deep first serve down the middle: forehand return long.

Magda serving 0-1 (new balls): Li crosscourt backhand wide. 15/0. Magda's forehand dropshot induced Li to hit a backhand dropshot that clipped the netcord and fell back on her side - Magda forcing Li to play Magda's game. 30/0. Ace down the middle: just inside both the centre-line and the service-line. 40/0. Li netted a backhand on the fourth stroke.

Li serving 1-1: Li hit an off-forehand just inside the sideline, forcing Magda to hit a backhand lob long. 15/0. Li went to the net; Magda made a poor attempt at a pass; Li hit a deep forehand volley down the line to force a floater, which she dispatched with a forehand smash-winner. "Magda!" shouted Magda. 30/0. Magda's down-the-line sliced backhand approach was just long. 40/0. Li backhand just long. 40/15. First serve out wide - right in the corner - but Magda painted the baseline with a down-the-line forehand return-winner! Sam Smith: "She's like Mrs. Inspector Gadget with these arms: just incredible wingspan, and control at the end of the swing: wonderful racket-work." 40/30. Li played a good spreading rally, but Magda showed excellent lateral retrieval, and Li hit a crosscourt backhand just wide. Li stood with her hands on her hips, and stared in dismay. Deuce. Li hit a backhand winner down the line: just inside both the sideline and the baseline. Ad Li. Ace down the middle: curling away from Magda.

Magda serving 1-2: Li forced a short ball, but hit a crosscourt backhand long and wide. 15/0. Magda's sliced backhand down the line induced Li to hit a crosscourt forehand just wide. 30/0. Li forehand just long. 40/0. First serve out wide forced a short return; Magda went to the net behind a sliced off-forehand that forced a defensive lob; Magda, running backwards, hit an off-forehand smash-winner onto the outside edge of the sideline!!

Sam Smith re. Magda: "What a lovely game she has for grass. Look at those lovely linking-shots: we haven't seen those since the '70s! Sliced forehand, and then really extends well, keeps her head up. Looks like she enjoys smashing - not too many women enjoy that part of the game.
            "You don't see too many women actively saying, 'Okay, I'm gonna hit a sliced forehand.' You see it on the clay sometimes, when they're on the run, defensively, but I'm so impressed with her repertoire. That's what's causing all the problems for Li,Na."

Li serving 2-2: Li's depth induced Magda to hit a backhand just long. 15/0. Magda hit a slow crosscourt forehand down the middle, which induced Li to hit a crosscourt forehand wide. 15/15. Magda lost her footing a little before she ran for Li's short crosscourt backhand and netted a sliced backhand approach. David Mercer: "I see what she was trying to do, but perhaps just ran through the shot a little without setting herself for it." Sam Smith: "But it's lovely to see her have that emphasis on identifying a ball that's possible to come in on. Certainly players will not enjoy someone who likes to make a few forays on three-quarter-length balls." 30/15. Magda hit a couple of sliced backhands down the line, then one crosscourt, inducing Li to net a backhand. Sam Smith: "A touch of Pam Shriver about that last combination of sliced backhands: just fading it down the court - very different from a slice that really cuts into the court. Just taking all the pace off it, but she kept the length - that's why Li,Na couldn't do anything off that shot." 30/30. Li played a good spreading rally, and although Magda neutered her early initiative with sliced backhands, Li's crosscourt forehand forced Magda to hit a forehand long. 40/30. Magda off-forehand just wide on the fourth stroke.

Magda serving 2-3: Ace out wide. 15/0. Second serve: backhand return long. 30/0. Magda played a beautiful spreading rally: off-forehand + crosscourt forehand + off-forehand drop-volley winner. David Mercer: "Making that lovely, simple transition from baseline to the net." 40/0. First serve: forehand return long.

David Mercer: "Three love service-games in a row for Rybáriková!"

Li serving 3-3: Li's depth pushed Magda back on her heels, forcing her to net a backhand. 15/0. Li crosscourt forehand + down-the-line forehand winner just inside the sideline. 30/0. Li hit a crosscourt forehand just inside the sideline, forcing Magda to hit a crosscourt forehand just wide. 40/0. Li hit a crosscourt backhand wide, and muttered in Chinese. 40/15. Magda ran down a dropshot and hit a backhand, but Li was there at the net to hit a crosscourt forehand volley-pass winner.

Magda serving 3-4: Deep first serve out wide - on the service-line - forced Li to hit a forehand return long. 15/0. In a nailbiting rally, Magda hit a defensive backhand lob onto the baseline, and several strokes later, Li blasted a crosscourt backhand long and wide. 30/0. Serve out wide forced Li to bunt a crosscourt forehand return wide. 40/0. Li's pinpoint backhand return down the line forced Magda to stretch wide and net a forehand - the first point she dropped on serve this set! 40/15. Magda dumped a forehand halfway up the net, and muttered. 40/30. First serve down the middle: forehand return long.

Sam Smith re. Magda: "Looking at that serve, there's another thing that she has, which a lot of women don't have: she has swing on it as well, and that is the nightmare to return."

Li serving 4-4: Li went to the net behind an off-forehand down the line, forcing Magda to hit a crosscourt backhand long. 15/0. Second serve out wide (on the sideline) + crosscourt forehand winner. 30/0. Li hit a short-angled crosscourt forehand halfway up the sideline, forcing Magda to net a forehand. David Mercer: "One of the balls in that rally actually hit the baseline and stopped, which made it difficult for Rybáriková. Looking for a call that never came." 40/0. First serve out wide - just inside the sideline - forced Magda to net a backhand return.

Magda serving 4-5: Li off-forehand just long and just wide. 15/0. Magda's poor dropshot allowed Li to hit a crosscourt backhand winner. "Magda!" shouted Magda. 15/15. Service-winner out wide. 30/15. Double fault #2 (second serve long). 30/30. Deep first serve out wide, but Li hit a down-the-line forehand return-winner onto the baseline! 30/40 (SP #1). Li hit a forehand return long, but it was not called; Magda won the point anyway when Li netted a forehand on the fourth stroke. Deuce #1. Magda went to the net behind a sliced backhand down the line, but Li hit a pinpoint down-the-line backhand pass-winner onto the sideline. Ad Li (SP #2). Li slipped over, but got back up again and hit a very short lob; Magda ran it down and hit a forehand smash-winner down Li's forehand-line. Eurosport showed a lovely close-up of Magda pumping her fist. Deuce #2. First serve out wide - on the service-line and just inside the sideline - forced Li to bunt a crosscourt forehand return just wide. Ad Magda. First serve down the middle forced Li to stretch wide and net a forehand return.

Those set-points were Li's first break-points of the match! Sam Smith said Magda is serving too much to Li's strength: the forehand.

Sam Smith re. Magda: "Last year, she went from #279 in the world to #58. That's fast, and it's a big move in that part of the rankings. You wouldn't do that unless you had something special about you."

Li serving 5-5 (new balls): Li's deep crosscourt forehand approach forced Magda to earth a forehand. 15/0. Li's depth pushed Magda back on her heels, forcing her to dump a sliced backhand thirdway up the net. David Mercer: "For once, poor footwork from Rybáriková: didn't really move up to the ball - let it drop." 30/0. Body-jamming second serve: Magda mishit a crosscourt backhand return wide. 40/0. Li ran down Magda's short dropshot-return, but sprayed a wild forehand long. David Mercer: "She's missed a lot of mid-court balls today." 40/15. Magda ran down a dropshot and hit a crosscourt forehand, forcing Li to hit a crosscourt forehand pass wide. David Mercer: "I'm not sure you want to be inviting Rybáriková into the net. She looks so comfortable." 40/30. First serve out wide forced Magda to net a sliced backhand return.

Magda serving 5-6: Ace #3: down the middle, on the service-line. 15/0. First serve out wide: backhand return just long. 30/0. Deep first serve out wide forced Li to hit a forehand return long. 40/0. First serve down the middle forced Li to net a forehand return.

Sam Smith: "Generates so much easy power. She could actually get up another couple of inches - she's not fully extended with her racket-arm. What she does have is lovely weight-transfer: that serve, once it starts, there aren't any glitches in it; it just keeps moving. There's lovely rhythm on it."

6-6 tiebreak (all scores Rybáriková/Li):
{0/0*} Li's forehand on the third stroke was long by a whisker, and she complained.
{*1/0} Magda's second serve sat up nicely for Li to hit a forehand return-winner down Magda's forehand-line. Sam Smith: "That's just concentration, and not getting up and over it enough."
{*1/1} An awkward bounce induced Li to mishit a backhand very long. Sam Smith: "There's sort of been a look of curiosity down at the young Slovak. Okay, this is the first time she's really had a good look at her - doesn't really know too much about her - but I don't feel Li's problem-solving has been particularly good so far."
{2/1*} A long rally ended with Li netting a forehand dropshot. David Mercer: "'What have I got to do to win the point?' I'm sure Li,Na must be thinking. Her opponent scampering around, but Li won't come forward." Sam Smith: "She hasn't asked the question of her young opponent: 'Can you pass?' Don't think she's created enough doubt in the young Slovak's mind about what she is going to do."
{3/1*} Li forehand just long - but at least she was going to the net behind it, as though she'd heard the commentary after the previous point.
{*4/1} Li's short-angled off-forehand forced a defensive backhand floater from Magda, but Li's forehand smash clipped the netcord and fell back on her side - a nice point for Magda to change ends on!
{*5/1} Magda's deep first serve out wide - on the service-line - forced Li to net a forehand return.
{6/1*: CP #1} First-serve let. First serve long. Second serve out wide; short crosscourt backhand return; Li hit a deep crosscourt backhand just inside the baseline, forcing Magda to bunt a defensive backhand just long.
{6/2*: CP #2} Li went for a body-jamming first serve, but it wasn't particularly effective: Magda blocked back a deep backhand return down the middle, forcing Li to backstep and hit a backhand just long (called by the umpire). Magda won 6-0 7-6 (7/2) at 13:30 BST (second set 51m, match 1h13m).

Sam Smith: "I think she serves fantastically well. She only lost seven points behind her first serve, and four behind her second serve. She's versatile, and goodness me: I don't think she'll be seeded at Wimbledon, and no one will want to play this young woman. I wouldn't be surprised to see her in the second week if she gets the right kind of draw."

David Mercer: "Nobody could say she didn't do it the hard way. She beat the number-one seed in the third round. She's beaten the number-four seed now in the final. Came from a set down against Sania Mirza in the semis. She's proved that she's got character as well as ability."

Sam Smith: "I think she did very well, because twice she had to serve to stay in that second set, and she really should have been out on her ear on that set-point that Li,Na had. I think you have to say that Li,Na battled really well, but never really coped with what this young lady brought to the court."

Statistics

Magda had a W:UE ratio of 7:13 to Li's disastrous 11:36. Magda's winners included three aces and one return-winner. Li's winners included two return-winners and one ace. Magda served two double faults, while Li didn't serve any.

Magda got 73% of her first serves in, winning 81% of the points when she did so, and 83% behind her second serve. Li got 74% of first serves in, but it made little difference - in fact a negative difference - as she won just 54% on first serve and 56% on second serve.

Magda didn't go to the net so much in this match, but won 3 of 4 points when she did so, while Li won 2 of 3 points at the net.

Magda broke 3 times from 8 BPs: 3 from 6 in the first set, plus she squandered 2 BPs in the first game of the second. Li had two break-points - the set-points at 5-4* in the second - but Magda went through the whole match unbroken.

Presentation-ceremony

First, they presented the runner's-up trophy to Li, then the Maud Watson trophy - the oldest in women's tennis, as it was originally awarded to the first-ever Women's Singles champion in 1884 - to Magda. It's so wonderful to see it back in my Eternal Fanship for the first time since Vera Zvonarëva won it in 2006!

Li's on-court interview

MC: "Commiserations - your first final on grass. Your thoughts on that?"

Li: "I mean: she played good. I didn't have a chance for the first set, but I tried my best tennis in the second set. I mean: nothing to say." <crowd-laughter>

MC: "A quarter-final at Wimbledon a few years ago, a final on grass here. You've won on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour. Do you feel more comfortable on grass? Do you go to Wimbledon now with hopes of going a long way in that tournament?"

Li: "Yeah, hopefully I can do well in Wimbledon. Yeah, that's my dream. Yeah, and I more like grass-courts."

MC: "Well, you played brilliantly this week: you beat Maria Sharapova in the semi-final yesterday. First time you've beaten her in six attempts, so that in itself is a major achievement - particularly on grass."

Li: "Yesterday's match was amazing. I can't remember from my whole life. It's the first time I've beaten her. She's a former number-one, so I was so exciting last night. Yeah, so I forgot I had the match today!" <crowd-laughter>

MC: "Ladies and gentlemen, we have enjoyed her tennis this week. She has a great smile. We wish her well for Wimbledon. Li,Na."

Magda's on-court interview

MC: "And the winner: Magdaléna Rybáriková. Many, many congratulations."

Magda: "Thank you very much."

MC: "Can you try and sum up for the crowd how you're feeling right now?"

Magda: "Uh! It's a great feeling. I think this is the best moment in my career, and I'm absolutely happy."

MC: "Can I just say: I don't know what the crowd was expecting today, but in your first final, you are supposed to be a bit nervous." <crowd-laughter>

Magda: "Sure, I was very nervous, but not in the first set: I was okay, and I played very good tennis. And the second set: I was very nervous, actually in the tiebreak, but now it's absolutely great."

MC: "A wonderful first set: 6-0. The best possible start. Could you believe it?"

Magda: "No. Still not - this is a dream! But I think I played great, and if I'm gonna play like this, I can be a good player - a very good player."

MC: "Well, I'm sure that the crowd will have loved your performance today, and if you've been here earlier in the week, you'll know that the serve-volley game - you don't see too much of that these days - but it was wonderful to watch. In the second set, you saved two set-points as well, so you held your nerve there."

Magda: "Yeah, it was a very tough moment in the second set, but I served very, very good all match, so it was, I think, a very, very good chance for her, but I saved it, so I'm happy!"

MC: "And you beat the number-one seed here - Zheng,Jie - on the way to the final as well."

Magda: "Oh yeah - I played great tennis in that match, and she played also very well, and it was a very tough match, and I was very tired after that match, but now I feel very good, and I played good tennis also today."

MC: "A wonderful champion - many congratulations. Magdaléna Rybáriková."

Magda posed with the trophy from various angles: I especially loved it when they got her to sit down on the grass! Unfortunately she didn't come and stand by Stand D, nor hang around outside Centre Court like some Birmingham-champions so that I could take close-ups, although I did manage to take a few as she made her way to the club-house through the dense crowd!

Articles

First win for Rybáriková [Teletext 495->498]
>>>
Rybáriková takes title [Teletext 498]

Li said: "I was so excited after I beat Sharapova, I forgot I had another game. It has been a good week for me, though."
<<<

Unheralded Rybáriková wins first WTA title (Reuters)
(Reporting by Tom Pilcher, Editing by Clare Fallon and Alison Wildey)
>>>
* Rybáriková downs Li to win first WTA title.
* Slovak set to rise to career-high #42 in rankings.

"I was so excited last night after I beat Sharapova. I forgot I had a match today," said Li. "It has been a good week for me, though. I like grass very much."
<<<

Rybáriková wins 1st career-title in Birmingham (AP)
>>>
Magdaléna Rybáriková won her first WTA Tour title on Sunday by upsetting the fourth-seeded Li,Na of China 6-0 7-6(2) in the final of the AEGON Classic.

In the second set, Li had a set-point at 5-4 on Rybáriková's serve, but put a forehand into the net. She had a second chance two points later, but wasted that one as well.
<<<

Rybáriková claims AEGON Classic (BBC Sport)
>>>
Slovakia's Magdaléna Rybáriková won her first career-title by beating Li,Na in straight sets in the AEGON Classic final at Edgbaston on Sunday.

"I was nervous, yes, but not in the first set. I was okay to start with, and then in the second set, I got very nervous. But now it's absolutely great. It's a dream."
<<<

Rybáriková wins AEGON Classic title (LTA)
>>>
Magdaléna Rybáriková has claimed the first tournament-victory of her career by winning the AEGON Classic title in Edgbaston.

Rybáriková has gained direct entry into main draw at The Championships for the first time. Last year, she came through the qualifying-draw before bowing out in the opening round.
<<<

Rybáriková's Birmingham-Breakthrough (www.sonyericssonwtatour.com)
>>>
Slovakia's Magdaléna Rybáriková won her first WTA Tour singles-title at the AEGON Classic in Birmingham Sunday, capping a perfect week with a straight-sets win over China's Li,Na in the final.

Rybáriková's wins over world No.16 Zheng and world No.20 Li were her third and fourth career top-twenty wins, following victories earlier this season over Flavia Pennetta and Caroline Wozniacki. The 20-year-old - now ranked No.58 - will surpass her previous career-high ranking of No.46 in the new rankings.
<<<

Tennis Spy: Magdaléna Rybáriková (Seán Fay, Eurosport)
>>>
Our weekly focus on the game's rising talent looks at Magdaléna Rybáriková of Slovakia, who shot to attention by winning at Edgbaston last week.

Trivia: She admits she likes the idea of becoming a pin-up like Maria Sharapova. Her male fan-base increased greatly after a racy magazine-shoot in her native Slovakia.
            Started playing tennis when she was eight years old.
            Says she is a quiet person who prefers going to coffee-shops than discos.
            She is a big fan of Coldplay.
            Lists Roger Federer as her tennis-hero, but also admits that Rafael Nadal is "very cute".
            She has two teddy-bears in her tennis-bag - her good-luck charms.
            Her favourite cities are New York and Paris.
            She is coached by Ladislav Simon [sic].
            She was born in Pieštany in the western part of Slovakia, which is famous for its spas, but she moved to the capital Bratislava when she was 15.
<<<

^My comment on the above article:

Great article, though I take issue with Magda's "weaknesses". I would not describe her backhand as "clunky" (I presume this refers to her two-handed variant), and her fitness did not appear to be an issue at Birmingham - she had to play five sets on Thursday after the rain, but that didn't stop her coming through seven more sets over the next three days to win the title!

Magda certainly has the tools to be a top-eight player - she's just a late bloomer because of her style of play, and because of the nasty foot-injury she had after reaching the Wimbledon 2006 Girls' Singles final. I'm delighted by her progress in recent months, and winning Birmingham is the icing on the cake.