After watching a match on an outside-court, I went to the practice-courts thinking how nice it would be to see Nicole Vaidišová there: my favourite player at Birmingham 2008.
So when Nicole was the first player I spotted as I approached the practice-courts, I couldn't believe it was her at first! I thought perhaps I was just seeing what I wanted to see, and she looked so small... but that was just because she was so far away until I got there.
Nicole was hitting with another blonde girl on the nearest practice-court, so I immediately sat down by Nicole's end of the court, whipped out my camera and started taking photos.
Nicole was with her new coach David Felgate, and while she looked pretty much the same as in 2007, her grunt was now a low bellow like Daniela Hantuchová's.
This went on for about five minutes, then Nicole went to the net and shook hands with the other girl: it was only then that I realised she was Michaëlla Krajícek, and that they must have been playing a practice-set (previous clues being Michaëlla throwing her racket, and the fact that Nicole was grunting).
Nicole had lost 6 matches in a row going into Birmingham, and Michaëlla was in an even worse slump, having lost 12 matches in a row dating back to October 2007. Later in the week, I would have the very great pleasures of watching them both snap their losing-streaks - I guess this practice-match must have done them both good!
I took some more photos of Nicole and Michaëlla as they packed up; Nicole signed some autographs as she left the practice-court and strode off towards the players' enclosure.
At about 12:50 BST, I saw Nicole Vaidišová walking towards Court 1, where Nathalie Dechy and Séverine Brémond were playing for the honour of becoming Nicole's second-round opponent.
Nicole looked stunning in tight pink shorts and a white, sleeveless top, and I thought she was going to stop and watch the match on Court 1, but by the time I got my camera out, she had disappeared.
However, Nicole reappeared a few minutes later (at 12:57, to be precise). I followed her to the practice-courts, and watched her entire half-hour practice-session with Yanina Wickmayer (who would go on to reach the final).
Nicole and Yanina hit a long series of groundstrokes, and then practised with one of them at the baseline and the other at the net hitting volleys and overheads. Then they practised serving and returning each other's serves, and finally Nicole played a service-game against Wickmayer, in which Nicole hit a backhand pass-winner down the line.
Nicole looked happy in her practice-session, but as Iveta Benešová remarked after beating Nicole at the French Open, "She's happy because she's in love."
Is it love or is it what?
Who's this guy I'm gonna blow away?
What kind of love is he giving you?
I'm a-dizzy's what I'm trying to say
[David Bowie, "Too Dizzy"]
After this practice-session, I followed Nicole back to Court 1, and she sat at the top of the hill to watch Dechy v Brémond. She was with this shorter, older blonde lady whom I presume to be her mother Riana - obviously Nicole didn't inherit her height from her! ;-) But they left before the end of the match.
+ NICOLE VAIDIŠOVÁ [3,EF] d. Nathalie Dechy, 6-1 6-3
It seems that Michaëlla Krajícek and Nicole both benefitted from practising against each other on Monday! Michaëlla snapped a 12-match losing-streak on Tuesday, and Nicole snapped her 6-match losing-streak on Wednesday.
Dechy looked like a weak shadow of her former self, but Nicole looked very impressive as she overpowered the French veteran with her huge serves and forehands to win in just 51 minutes.
MC Vicki Stone made two blunders while they were warming up: she said that Dechy was from Belgium, and that Nicole was 27!
VAIDI *@* *@* 6 DECHY * 1
The match was fourth on Centre Court. Nicole won the toss and elected to serve, and the match started at 17:02 BST.
Nicole serving 0-0: Second serve: Dechy netted a forehand return. 15/0. Nicole hit a deep, error-forcing crosscourt forehand. 30/0. Service-winner out wide. 40/0. Serve out wide + crosscourt backhand winner.
Dechy serving 0-1: Double fault (second serve long). 0/15. Dechy crosscourt forehand winner into the corner (Nicole "not up"). 15/15. Double fault (second serve long). 15/30. Nicole crosscourt forehand winner. 15/40. Ace out wide. 30/40. Dechy hit a forehand wide to give Nicole the first break.
Nicole serving 2-0: Nicole on the third stroke netted a forehand. 0/15. Serve out wide + crosscourt forehand winner. 15/15. A good serve forced a short return, which Nicole dispatched with a crosscourt forehand winner. 30/15. Nicole got down well with her knees to hit a backhand winner down the line. 40/15. Service-winner out wide.
Dechy serving 0-3: Nicole off-forehand wide. 15/0. Dechy on the third stroke hit a forehand very long. 15/15. Nicole drew Dechy to the net with a dropshot, but hit a forehand pass long & wide. 30/15. Double fault (second serve into the net). 30/30. Off-backhand return wide. 40/30. Nicole netted a backhand return.
Nicole serving 3-1: Nicole hit a big off-forehand winner into the corner. 15/0. Nicole off-forehand wide. 15/15. Virtual ace out wide. 30/15. Nicole hit a big forehand + off-forehand dropshot-winner. 40/15. Nicole crosscourt forehand + forehand winner down the line.
Dechy serving 1-4: Nicole's forehand return shot through on Dechy. 0/15. Nicole backhand return long. 15/15. Dechy netted a forehand on the third stroke. 15/30. Nicole hit a backhand return wide. 30/30. Nicole hit a crosscourt forehand winner back behind Dechy, low over the net. 30/40 (BP). Awkward low balls from Dechy induced Nicole to hit a forehand just long. 40/40. Dechy forehand long. Ad Nicole (BP #2). Dechy netted a backhand to give Nicole the double break.
Nicole serving 5-1: Serve + off-forehand winner. 15/0. A low bounce forced Nicole to earth a forehand. 15/15. Nicole's deep forehand forced Dechy to hit a forehand wide. 30/15. Serve + crosscourt forehand winner. 40/15 (SP #1). Dechy netted a backhand volley. Nicole won the first set 6-1 at 17:24 (22 minutes).
Dechy saw her coach at the set-break (on-court coaching being allowed at Birmingham 2008).
VAIDI *@ *@*@ 6 DECHY * @* 3
Dechy serving 0-0: Double fault (second serve long). Dechy yelled. 0/15. Service-winner out wide. 15/15. Dechy opened up the court for a crosscourt forehand winner. 30/15. Nicole's deep forehand return forced Dechy to earth a forehand. 30/30. Nicole sliced a backhand long. 40/30. Nicole backhand winner down the line. 40/40. Service-winner out wide: on the sideline. Ad Dechy. She hit a forehand long. Deuce #2. Service-winner out wide. Ad Dechy. Forehand return long.
Nicole serving 0-1: Ace out wide: on the sideline. 15/0. Serve out wide + pinpoint forehand winner down the line. 30/0. Serve + backhand winner down the line. 40/0. Ace down the middle: on the centre-line.
Dechy serving 1-1: Nicole went for a forehand winner down the line, but it was just wide. 15/0. Nicole's sliced backhand forced a floater from Dechy, which Nicole dispatched with a forehand smash-winner. 15/15. Double fault (second serve long). 15/30. Nicole netted a forehand return. 30/30. Nicole's deep forehand return down the middle forced Dechy to earth a forehand. 30/40. Dechy hit a down-the-line forehand wide to put Nicole up a set and a break.
Nicole serving 2-1: Nicole backhand long. 0/15. Dechy spread Nicole, forcing her to net a backhand. 0/30. Serve + sliced backhand volley-winner crosscourt. 15/30. Nicole forehand wide. 15/40. Nicole hit a backhand wide to give Dechy the break back.
Dechy serving 2-2: Off-backhand return wide. 15/0. Ace out wide: on the sideline. 30/0. Ace out wide: on the sideline. 40/0. Dechy backhand netcord-winner.
Nicole serving 2-3: Serve out wide + forehand winner down the line. 15/0. Dechy netted a backhand return. 30/0. Service-winner. 40/0. Ace out wide.
Dechy serving 3-3: Nicole hit an error-forcing backhand down the line. 0/15. Dechy down-the-line backhand wide. 0/30. Nicole hit a pinpoint forehand down the line: just inside the sideline, forcing Dechy to hit a backhand wide. 0/40. Dechy hit a down-the-line backhand onto the sideline - so she thought, but the umpire called it wide. "No, no, no - you cannot overrule this!" said Dechy.
Nicole serving 4-3: A long rally with Nicole grunting louder and louder ended with her netting a forehand. 0/15. Service-winner out wide. 15/15. Serve + deep, error-forcing forehand just inside the baseline. 30/15. Serve + backhand winner down the line: on the baseline. 40/15. Serve + crosscourt forehand winner back behind Dechy.
Dechy serving 3-5: Dechy's dropshot forced Nicole to net a forehand. 15/0. Dechy came to the net, but Nicole hit an error-forcing crosscourt forehand pass. 15/15. Nicole netted a backhand return. 30/15. Dechy hit a defensive backhand just wide. 30/30. Nicole off-backhand return-winner. 30/40 (MP #1). With the wind rising, Nicole hit a backhand return-winner down the line - just inside the baseline - to win 6-1 6-3 at 17:53 (second set 29 minutes, match 51 minutes).
+ NICOLE VAIDIŠOVÁ [3,EF] d. EKATERINA MAKAROVA [15], 6-7 (5/7) 6-2 6-4
A tough match for Nicole, played on a cold, windy evening against a left-handed opponent who served very well - although Nicole did make a lot of cheap return-errors, which would return to haunt her in the quarter-finals.
Apparently, 20-year-old Ekaterina is no relation to the beautiful Elena Makarova of the 1990s. Ekaterina is kind of cute, with a classic Russian ponytail, but she's as thin as a whippet, and her crooked nose mars an otherwise pretty face. Could she grow on me?
The first set resembled one of those serve-dominated men's matches on grass in the mid-1990s, albeit with an exchange of breaks as Makarova broke for *5-4 but failed to serve it out. Nicole looked very upset when she lost the set on a tiebreak in which she had led 4/1*.
Nicole broke at the start of the second set, and although she got complacent, she still managed to get a double break and win the set 6-2.
Nicole led *5-2 in the third set, but threw away her first chance to serve out the match with two double faults in a row. But she managed it at *5-4, despite missing an easy volley at 30/15 and putting her hand over her mouth.
VAIDIŠOV * * * * @* 6(5) MAKAROVA * * * *@ *T 7(7)
The match was scheduled fourth on Centre Court, but was actually the second match as two prior matches were moved to outside courts after rain delayed the start of play by five hours. Makarova won the toss and chose to receive, and the match started at 17:59 BST.
Nicole serving 0-0: Nicole played a 5-stroke rally with an off-forehand winner. 15/0. Serve + crosscourt forehand winner. 30/0. Makarova netted a down-the-line forehand. 40/0. Left-handed Makarova hit a backhand return-winner down Nicole's forehand-sideline. 40/15. Makarova netted a backhand.
Makarova serving 0-1: Serve + forehand winner down the line... just wide. 0/15. Makarova crosscourt backhand wide. 0/30. Ace down the middle: on the service-line. 15/30. Nicole netted a forehand. 30/30. Backhand return long. 40/30. Makarova forehand long. 40/40. Nicole backhand just wide. Ad Makarova. Ace down the middle.
Nicole really let Makarova off the 0/30 hook there. I'm sure she'd like that forehand at 15/30 back.
Nicole serving 1-1: Serve out wide + off-forehand winner. 15/0. Service-winner out wide. 30/0. Makarova, driven wide, netted a forehand, and the raindrops, and the raindrops, and the raindrops, and the raindrops... 40/0. Nicole came to the net and hit a crosscourt backhand punch-volley winner, but I got the impression she was flexing her wrist after that.
Makarova serving 1-2: Makarova netted a forehand on the third stroke. 0/15. Makarova spread Nicole, forcing her to earth a forehand. 15/15. Nicole's crosscourt forehand forced Makarova to earth a backhand. 15/30. Service-winner out wide. 30/30. Crosscourt forehand return wide. 40/30. Ace down the middle: on the centre-line.
Nicole serving 2-2: Makarova off-forehand return-winner. 0/15. Nicole on the third stroke netted a forehand. 0/30. Backhand return long. 15/30. Makarova netted a backhand. 30/30. Nicole's deep crosscourt forehand forced Makarova to net a backhand lob (Nicole ran for it just in case). 40/30. Makarova forehand just wide.
Makarova's turn to let Nicole off the 0/30 hook. Nicole's grunts are getting louder.
Makarova serving 2-3: Makarova backhand long. 0/15. Nicole forehand wide. 15/15. Nicole mishit a forehand return wide. 30/15. Makarova punished a short ball with a backhand dropshot-winner. 40/15. Makarova crosscourt backhand drive-volley winner.
Nicole serving 3-3: Ace out wide: on the centre-line. 15/0. Makarova mishit a crosscourt backhand return, and it turned into a dropshot-winner! 15/15. Makarova netted a forehand return. 30/15. And again. 40/15. Ace out wide.
Both girls are serving very well so far - especially Nicole.
Makarova serving 3-4: Service-winner out wide. 15/0. Nicole hit a forehand wide, and argued about the line-call. 30/0. Nicole netted a backhand. 40/0. Down-the-line backhand return wide.
Nicole serving 4-4: Double fault (second serve long). 0/15. Nicole on the third stroke netted a backhand. 0/30. Double fault (second serve wide). 0/40. Nicole saved the first break-point with a backhand netcord-winner. 15/40. Makarova netted a backhand off a low-bouncing ball from Nicole. 30/40. Double fault (second serve long).
The wind may have contributed to Nicole's three double faults in that game - especially the one at 0/30. She washed her hands at the changeover.
Makarova serving for the first set 5-4: Body-jamming service-winner (looked long). 15/0. Nicole hit a crosscourt forehand winner back behind Makarova. 15/15. In a long rally, Nicole recovered from a Makarova-netcord with a chopped forehand, and Makarova hit a forehand wide. 15/30. Nicole opened up the court for an off-forehand winner, but it was just wide. 30/30. Makarova, driven wide, netted a forehand. 30/40 (BP #1). Makarova's forehand died on Nicole, forcing her to earth a forehand. 40/40. Nicole's dropshot drew a defensive lob from Makarova, which Nicole dispatched with a crosscourt forehand winner onto the baseline. Ad Nicole (BP #2). Makarova netted a backhand to give Nicole the break back.
Some nailbiting rallies in that game!
Nicole serving 5-5: Nicole, driven wide, netted a forehand and said "nyeh". 0/15. Makarova netted an easy forehand volley, and emitted a high-pitched yell. 15/15. Service-winner. 30/15. Makarova forehand long. 40/15. Makarova's depth forced Nicole to hit a forehand long. 40/30. Makarova forced a deep, defensive floater from Nicole, and dispatched it with an off-backhand winner. 40/40. Makarova netted a forehand return. Ad Nicole. She held with an off-forehand winner onto the sideline.
Makarova serving 5-6: Nicole netted a crosscourt backhand dropshot. 15/0. Nicole gave Makarova the hold to love by netting three forehand returns in a row.
6-6 tiebreak (all scores Vaidišová/Makarova):
{*0/0} Nicole serve + off-forehand winner.
{1/0*} Makarova dumped a backhand into the net, and yelled again.
{2/0*} Makarova serve + off-backhand winner.
{*2/1} Makarova hit a crosscourt backhand wide, after a long rally with two-tone grunting from both girls.
{*3/1} In a long rally, Makarova took the initiative with an off-backhand just inside the sideline, but failed to find a strong continuation, and Nicole hit a pinpoint backhand winner down the line: in the corner.
{4/1*} Makarova hit a service-winner out wide, loaded with spin.
{4/2*} Nicole hit an off-backhand just wide, and said "no".
{*4/3} Nicole came to the net, but Makarova came up with a stunning backhand pass-winner down the line.
{*4/4} Nicole ace out wide.
{5/4*} Nicole netted a forehand return.
{5/5*} Makarova spread Nicole, and her depth forced Nicole to hit a forehand lob long.
{*5/6: SP #1} Second serve: Makarova hit a backhand return-winner down Nicole's forehand-sideline to take the first set 7-6 (7/5) at 18:48 (49 minutes).
Nicole looked really upset to lose the first set after those leads in the tiebreak: she buried her head in her towel, and sat slumped in her chair at the set-break.
VAIDIŠOV @* *@ @* 6 MAKAROVA * @ 2
Makarova serving 0-0: Makarova played a spreading rally with a crosscourt backhand winner onto the sideline. 15/0. Makarova netted a backhand. 15/15. Nicole ran down a dropshot, and hit an error-forcing forehand down the line. 15/30. Serve out wide + crosscourt backhand winner. 30/30. Makarova on the third stroke netted a backhand. 30/40 (BP #1). Serve out wide + crosscourt backhand forced Nicole to net a forehand. 40/40. Nicole ran down a dropshot, and hit a pinpoint forehand winner down the line, into the corner. Ad Nicole (BP #2). Makarova gave Nicole the break with a down-the-line forehand wide.
Nicole serving 1-0: Nicole's dropshot made Makarova look slow as she netted a backhand volley. 15/0. Makarova forehand long. 30/0. Ace out wide: on the sideline. 40/0. Serve + down-the-line forehand winner back behind Makarova.
Makarova serving 0-2: Nicole forehand very long. 15/0. Nicole netted a forehand return. 30/0. Ace down the middle: on the service-line (looked long). 40/0. Nicole forehand return very long.
Cheap return-errors from Nicole there - possibly guilty of complacency, having got the early break.
Nicole serving 2-1: Nicole, driven wide by Makarova's return, netted a forehand. 0/15. Makarova forehand return wide. 15/15. Serve + off-forehand winner. 30/15. Nicole on the third stroke hit a forehand wide. 30/30. Ace out wide: just inside the sideline. 40/30. Nicole on the third stroke hit a forehand very long. 40/40. Makarova forehand long. Ad Nicole. Serve out wide + crosscourt forehand winner.
Makarova serving 1-3: Ace down the middle: on the centre-line. 15/0. Nicole hit a crosscourt backhand virtual return-winner. 15/15. Makarova on the third stroke hit a crosscourt backhand wide, and yelled. 15/30. Makarova forehand just long. 15/40. Nicole scored the double break with a deep forehand return-winner: just inside the baseline.
Nicole washed her hands again at the changeover.
Nicole serving 4-1: Off a short ball from Nicole, Makarova hit an off-forehand wide. 15/0. Makarova forehand return-winner down the line. 15/15. Nicole on the third stroke netted a forehand, and rolled her head. 15/30. Nicole hit a wild backhand very long. 15/40. Nicole on the third stroke hit a wild forehand very long.
Three awful shots in a row from Nicole give Makarova the break back.
Makarova serving 2-4: Nicole off-forehand winner just inside the sideline. 0/15. Nicole netted a cheap backhand return. 15/15. Nicole crosscourt forehand + crosscourt backhand winner. 15/30. Makarova hit a backhand long, and yelled in Russian. 15/40. With the wind rising, Makarova hit a high forehand volley very long to reinstate Nicole's double break.
Nicole serving 5-2: Makarova hit a deceptive backhand winner down the line, back behind Nicole. 0/15. Makarova went for a backhand winner down Nicole's forehand-sideline, but put it wide. 15/15. Nicole punished a short ball with a backhand dropshot-winner. 30/15. Double fault (second serve long). Nicole hit a ball in anger. 30/30. Service-winner down the middle. 40/30 (SP #1). A good deep return of Nicole's first serve forced her to hit a backhand wide. 40/40. Ace out wide: in the corner. Ad Nicole (SP #2). Ace out wide. Nicole won the second set 6-2 at 19:16 (second set 28m, match so far 1h17m).
VAIDIŠOV * *@*@ * 6 MAKAROVA * * @* 4
It was now cold and windy.
Makarova serving 0-0: Service-winner down the middle. 15/0. Nicole on the fourth stroke netted a backhand. 30/0. Nicole slipped, and Makarova hit a backhand winner down the line. 40/0. There was a loud sneeze from Stand D, and Makarova served an ace down the middle.
Nicole serving 0-1: Serve + pinpoint forehand winner down the line. 15/0. Ace out wide: on the sideline. 30/0. Nicole dumped a backhand halfway up the net. 30/15. Forehand return very long. 40/15. Service-winner out wide.
Makarova serving 1-1: Makarova came to the net, forcing Nicole to hit a down-the-line backhand pass wide. 15/0. Nicole hit a pinpoint backhand down the line: on the sideline, forcing Makarova to net a forehand; Makarova emitted a cute little squeak. 15/15. Nicole netted a forehand, and rolled her head. 30/15. Nicole hit a wild backhand long - off a short ball. 40/15. Nicole hit a deep, error-forcing forehand return. 40/30. Nicole hit a forehand return-winner down Makarova's backhand-sideline. 40/40. Makarova's deep crosscourt backhand approach forced Nicole to net a forehand. Ad Makarova. Nicole netted a forehand return.
Nicole serving 1-2: Nicole off-forehand winner. 15/0. Nicole dominated the point with her forehand, then hit a short backhand winner down the line: on the sideline. 30/0. Serve + deep, error-forcing off-forehand. 40/0. Service-winner out wide.
It's getting colder and windier.
Makarova serving 2-2: Nicole netted a forehand. 15/0. Nicole off-forehand + forehand smash-winner. 15/15. Nicole's deep backhand down the line forced Makarova to earth a backhand, and to emit one of her by-now-familiar yells. 15/30. Nicole's sliced backhand forced Makarova to hit a backhand wide, and yell again. 15/40. A good serve forced a short return that sat up nicely for Makarova to... net an easy backhand.
Nicole serving 3-2: Makarova netted a backhand return. 15/0. Nicole forehand just long. 15/15. Ace down the middle. 30/15. Serve + backhand dropshot + low forehand drop-volley winner. 40/15. Nicole came to the net behind a crosscourt forehand, but Makarova hit a forehand pass-winner down the line. 40/30. Nicole consolidated the break with a backhand winner down the line.
Makarova serving 2-4: Makarova forehand long. 0/15. Backhand return long. 15/15. Nicole hit a forehand just long, and looked not happy. 30/15. Nicole netted a cheap forehand return. 40/15. Nicole came to the net behind a crosscourt backhand, and hit a backhand punch-volley winner down the line. 40/30. Nicole's crosscourt backhand died on Makarova, forcing her to net a backhand. 40/40. Nicole hit a backhand reflex-volley winner after a point at the net. Ad Nicole (BP). Nicole hit a good return + off-forehand winner just inside the sideline.
The double break didn't look likely at 40/15! Nicole celebrated with a fist-pump.
Nicole serving 5-2: Ace down the middle. 15/0. Nicole netted a sliced forehand. 15/15. Nicole's deep backhand down the line forced Makarova to earth a backhand. 30/15. Nicole netted a crosscourt forehand, and shook her right hand in the air. 30/30. Nicole on the third stroke hit an off-forehand wide. 30/40 (BP #1). Service-winner out wide shot through low, forcing Makarova to net a forehand return. 40/40. Double fault (second serve long). Nicole hit a ball in anger. Ad Makarova (BP #2). Quadruple fault! (wild second serve very long).
Nicole really seemed to lose her composure on the last two points!
Makarova serving 3-5: Virtual ace out wide. 15/0. Nicole down-the-line backhand return wide. 30/0. Nicole down-the-line backhand wide. 40/0. Makarova on the third stroke netted a forehand. 40/15. Double fault (second serve just wide). Makarova swore (I presume) in Russian. 40/30. Nicole hit a pinpoint off-forehand winner: just inside the sideline, and deep. 40/40. Makarova crosscourt forehand volley-winner. Ad Makarova. Ace down the middle: just inside the centre-line.
Nicole serving 5-4: Ace out wide, on the sideline? Apparently not. Makarova took the first point with a forehand pass-winner down the line. 0/15. Makarova netted a backhand, and emitted a long, loud yell. 15/15. A meaty baseline-rally ended with Makarova netting a forehand. 30/15. Nicole dominated the point, but netted a forehand volley and put her hand over her mouth! 30/30. Ace out wide. Nicole said "pojdme" (the Czech equivalent of "c'mon"). 40/30 (MP #1). Makarova backhand wide. Nicole won 6-7 (5/7) 6-2 6-4 at 19:54 (third set 38m, match 1h55m).
Vaidišová, Bondarenko reach Birmingham quarters (PA SportsTicker)
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Nicole Vaidišová really had to work to end her quarter-final slump.
The third-seeded Vaidišová reached a quarter-final for the first time in more than four months with a 6-7 (5/7) 6-2 6-4 victory over Ekaterina Makarova of Russia at the DFS Classic on Thursday.
By turning away an upset-bid, Vaidišová kept alive a showing at this $200,000 grasscourt-event, in which she ended a six-match losing-streak earlier in the week.
After dropping just four games against Nathalie Dechy, Vaidišová had a much more difficult time against Makarova, who was one of the players who handed the Czech a loss during her dubious losing-streak.
"It was a little rough today; but it's always great to win despite not playing your best tennis," said Vaidišová, who last reached the quarters at Sydney in January. "I'm just going to continue to try to play my best moving into my next match."
Also, American Bettanie Mattek posted a 6-4 6-2 victory over Tamarine Tanasugarn of Thailand to set up a matchup with Vaidišová.
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Wickmayer defeats Krajícek at DFS Classic (AP)
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In other matches on Thursday, No.3 Nicole Vaidišová wasted a 4/1 lead in the first-set tiebreak, and had to rally for a 6-7 (5/7) 6-2 6-4 victory over Ekaterina Makarova.
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Vaidišová and South battle into DFS Classic quarters
http://www.lta.org.uk/News/All-news-items/South-and-Vaidisova-battle-into-to-DFS-Classic-quarter-finals/
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Nicole Vaidišová had to fight hard to overcome Elena Makarova of Russia in their third-round match, while Melanie South delighted Edgbaston Priory crowds, reaching the quarter-finals of the DFS Classic in Birmingham.
Vaidišová, seeded No.3, made a slow start in her match against Makarova, before prevailing 6-7 6-2 6-2.
The tall Czech took a while to find her feet in the first set, struggling before succumbing 5/7 in a tiebreak. She made lighter work of things in the second set, levelling the scoreboard in just 28 minutes.
The third set was a neck-and-neck affair until the fifth game, when Vaidišová broke at 15/40 to lead 3-2. Thereafter it was plain sailing for the No.19-ranked player in the world.
"I feel good about today: it was a hard match, and it's always good to go through when you don't play your best tennis and you still find a way to win."
Vaidišová's quarter-final opponent is Bethanie Mattek, who scored an impressive win over seasoned grasscourt-competitor Tamarine Tanasugarn of Thailand: 6-4 6-2. "I've never played Bethanie before, so it's someone new to play," she said of her American opponent.
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Down To Three Seeds as Quarter-final Line-Up Set
http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/1/newsroom/stories/?ContentID=2331
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Three top-eight seeds remained after the second round, and now there are just two left after the third round, as Michaëlla Krajícek became the latest upset-victim at the DFS Classic on Thursday. Nicole Vaidišová and Alyona Bondarenko nearly joined her on the sidelines.
Third seed Vaidišová snapped out of a six-match losing-streak earlier in the week, and on Thursday moved into the quarter-finals with a hard-fought 6-7(5) 6-2 6-4 victory over No.15 seed Ekaterina Makarova, who handed Vaidišová one of the losses in that dubious streak.
"It was a little rough today; but it's always great to win despite not playing your best tennis," Vaidišová said. "I'm just going to continue to try to play my best moving into my next match."
All four quarter-finals will take the courts at the Edgbaston Priory Club on Friday, pitting Vaidišová against Mattek, South against Wickmayer, Alyona Bondarenko against Erakovic, and Kateryna Bondarenko against Cetkovská.
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- NICOLE VAIDIŠOVÁ [3,EF] lt. Bethanie Mattek, 3-6 0-6
Nicole may have broken her losing-streak two rounds previously, but instead of improving, her form actually deteriorated from match to match, and from set to set.
In cold, windy conditions on Friday the 13th, Nicole self-destructed in a hail of unforced errors: particularly her returns of serve, and particularly her forehand. Nicole didn't move her feet properly, and struggled with short balls from Mattek that she would punish when playing well. All Mattek did was to keep the ball in play, to a good depth, and not make any errors herself.
The first set went with serve until *2-3, and Nicole seemed to be playing better than Mattek until she threw in a bad service-game to get broken for 2-4*.
When Mattek served for the first set at 5-3, Nicole hit three forehand winners to get to 15/40, but then squandered three break-points before Mattek converted her first set-point.
It was hard to believe that the second set was going to be a bagel, even with Nicole's previous tanking efforts in the last three months. I expected Nicole to at least hold serve, but the errors flowed thicker and faster from her racket, and there was a touch of panic in the dropshot she attempted from the baseline at *0-4 (0/15).
It's so sad to see a young lady with so much talent simply frittering it away. Nicole looked upset when she lost, and I'm glad she was upset, because at least it shows that she still cares about her tennis after Iveta Benešová's, "She's happy because she's in love," comment after beating Nicole at the French Open.
So what's the way out of this slump? Getting rid of her boyfriend would be a start, but if they're adamant they want to stay together, they should at least spend all their time together with him serving so that she can work on her returns! ;-)
I'm writing this after Nicole's second-round loss at the US Open - she has now lost five of her last six matches. It seems to me that she is now at the crossroads of her career: she can either get her act together and have a brilliant career - perhaps even winning some Grand Slam titles - or she can continue this slump until she's ranked in the 600s in a couple of years' time, like it was with Jelena Dokic (who is now back up to #187, but still stuck in the rut of the ITF Women's Circuit). What's it going to be, Nicole?
VAIDIŠ * * * 3 MATTEK * * *@* * 6
The match was second on Centre Court, and started at 12:37 BST.
Mattek serving 0-0: Mattek crosscourt forehand volley-winner. 15/0. Nicole went for a backhand winner, but it was long. 30/0. Backhand return long. 40/0. Serve + off-forehand winner... just wide. 40/15. Forehand return long.
Nicole serving 0-1: Service-winner. 15/0. Mattek netted a forehand. 30/0. Mattek netted a backhand. 40/0. Mattek dumped a forehand return into the bottom of the net.
Mattek serving 1-1: Nicole forced a short ball from Mattek, and hit a forehand winner down Mattek's forehand-sideline. 0/15. Serve out wide + down-the-line backhand winner that shot through on Nicole. 15/15. Mattek hit a deep, error-forcing crosscourt forehand. 30/15. Backhand return down the line wide. 40/15. Nicole netted a backhand return.
Nicole serving 1-2: Nicole on the third stroke netted a forehand. 0/15. Serve out wide + crosscourt forehand winner. 15/15. Serve + off-backhand winner back behind Mattek, onto the sideline. 30/15. Ace out wide: on the sideline. 40/15. Mattek netted a forehand.
Mattek serving 2-2: Nicole forehand down the line + crosscourt forehand winner. 0/15. Mishit forehand return wide. 15/15. Nicole sliced a backhand just long. 30/15. Mattek, outside the tramlines, netted a backhand dropshot. 30/30. Crosscourt forehand return wide. 40/30. Ace down the middle: on the centre-line.
Nicole serving 2-3: Nicole off-forehand + crosscourt forehand winner. 15/0. Nicole on the third stroke netted a forehand. 15/15. And again. 15/30. Mattek punished a second serve with a backhand return-winner down the line. 15/40. A hard, deep return forced Nicole to hit a backhand wide, giving the first break to Mattek.
Mattek serving 4-2: Nicole dumped a forehand halfway up the net. 15/0. Mattek's down-the-line forehand forced Nicole to net a one-handed backhand. 30/0. Nicole netted a forehand return. 40/0. Ace out wide: in the corner.
Nicole serving 2-5: Serve + crosscourt backhand winner on the sideline. 15/0. Serve out wide + forehand winner down Mattek's forehand-sideline. 30/0. Mattek's hit a deep forehand return down the middle: Nicole didn't move her feet, so she netted a backhand. 30/15. Nicole's big forehand forced Mattek to hit a forehand wide. 40/15. A deep return just inside the baseline forced Nicole to mishit a forehand into the net. 40/30. Ace out wide: just inside the sideline.
Mattek serving 5-3: With both players at the net, Nicole hit a crosscourt forehand pass-volley winner. 0/15. Nicole cracked a huge forehand return-winner down Mattek's forehand-sideline. 0/30. Mattek's depth forced Nicole to hit a forehand long. 15/30. Nicole hit a forehand return-winner down Mattek's forehand-sideline. 15/40 (BP #1). Mattek hit a deep ball into Nicole's backhand-corner, forcing her to hit a crosscourt backhand wide. 30/40 (BP #2). Nicole netted an off-forehand return. 40/40. Mattek went for an off-forehand winner, but it was just wide. Ad Nicole (BP #3). Mattek robbed Nicole of the break back with a backhand netcord-winner. Deuce #2. Serve + pinpoint backhand winner down the line. Ad Mattek (SP #1). Nicole on the fourth stroke netted an off-forehand. Mattek won the first set 6-3 at 13:06 (29 minutes).
Three break-points went begging after a brilliant start to that game.
VAIDIŠ 0 MATTEK @*@*@* 6
Nicole serving 0-0: Double fault (second serve into the net). 0/15. Mattek hit a deep, error-forcing forehand just inside the baseline. 0/30. Nicole's depth forced Mattek to hit a backhand wide. 15/30. Nicole hit a sliced backhand volley-winner down the line. 30/30. Nicole on the third stroke netted a backhand. 30/40. Nicole netted a forehand to go a set and a break down.
Mattek serving 1-0: Double fault (second serve wide). 0/15. Nicole forehand down the line just wide. 15/15. Ace down the middle: on the service-line. 30/15. Nicole hit a crosscourt forehand winner onto the baseline. 30/30. Nicole forced a short ball, and dispatched it with a forehand smash-winner. 30/40. Nicole down-the-line backhand wide. 40/40. Nicole netted a backhand, and whacked a ball into the back fence in anger (luckily, there were no linespersons or ballpersons in the way). Ad Mattek. Body-jamming serve onto the service-line forced Nicole to hit a crosscourt forehand return wide.
Nicole serving 0-2: Nicole forehand long. 0/15. Service-winner out wide. 15/15. Nicole off-forehand smash-winner. 30/15. Mattek's down-the-line backhand forced Nicole to earth a forehand. 30/30. A low-bouncing ball from Mattek forced Nicole to hit a backhand very long and wide. 30/40. Nicole gave away the double break by netting a forehand off a short ball.
Mattek serving 3-0: Serve out wide + pinpoint crosscourt forehand into the corner forced Nicole into error. 15/0. Nicole dumped a backhand halfway up the net. 30/0. Nicole netted a forehand on the fourth stroke. 40/0. Mattek sliced a down-the-line forehand wide. 40/15. Ace down the middle: on the service-line.
Nicole serving 0-4: Nicole came to the net, but a low ball at her feet forced her to net a backhand half-volley. 0/15. Nicole netted a backhand dropshot from the baseline - a real panic-shot. 0/30. Nicole forehand long. 0/40. Mattek netted a forehand off a very short ball. 15/40. Double fault (second serve wide).
Nicole prayed at the changeover.
Mattek serving 5-0: Serve + off-forehand winner. 15/0. Mattek on the third stroke hit an off-forehand wide. 15/15. Mattek served & volleyed, forcing Nicole to net a forehand return. 30/15. Nicole hit a crosscourt forehand return-winner into the corner. 30/30. Nicole dumped a forehand thirdway up the net. 40/30 (MP #1). A nailbiting rally ended with Nicole hitting a forehand winner down the line. 40/40. Serve + off-forehand winner. Ad Mattek (MP #2). Ace out wide. Mattek won 6-3 6-0 at 13:30 (second set 24 minutes, match 53 minutes).
Mattek's on-court interview: "I was playing well, and took my chances. She's a great player and a good competitor, but I kept my level up."
American Bethanie Mattek upsets Vaidišová to reach semis (AP)
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American Bethanie Mattek reached the second semi-final of her career, upsetting third-seeded Nicole Vaidišová 6-3 6-0 in the DFS Classic quarter-finals on Friday.
Mattek, a 23-year-old from Miami, next plays teenager Yanina Wickmayer, who defeated Briton Melanie South 6-4 6-3 in their quarter-final match. The only other semi-final for Mattek was at Cincinnati in 2005, and she has not won a WTA tournament.
The other semi-final will be between 12th-seeded Kateryna Bondarenko and Marina Erakovic, who defeated Bondarenko's older sister Alyona in the quarter-finals.
Vaidišová, ranked 19th in the world, failed to convert three break-chances while trailing 3-5 in the first set. She lost that game, and then the 81st-ranked Mattek swept the second set.
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Mattek beats Vaidišová to reach Edgbaston semi-finals (Reuters)
(Reporting by Martyn Herman, editing by Alan Baldwin)
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Nicole Vaidišová was blasted out of the Edgbaston WTA tournament by American Bethanie Mattek on Friday, losing their quarter-final 6-3 6-0.
The third seed and former world number-seven was bundled out in 52 minutes as her poor run of form continued. Before arriving in Birmingham for the Wimbledon warm-up, the Czech had lost in the first round of her previous five tournaments.
"My game-plan was just to make her play every point," world number 81 Mattek said on the tournament's website
Mattek, who has never won a Tour title, faces Yanina Wickmayer in the semi-finals, with 12th seed Kateryna Bondarenko up against Croatia-born Marina Erakovic.
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Britain's last hope falls in Birmingham (PA SportsTicker)
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The Tier III event also ended in disappointment for third-seeded Nicole Vaidišová, who was upset by unseeded American Bethanie Mattek: 6-3 6-0.
"I think Bethanie played a great match, but I didn't," Vaidišová said. "It has been a good week, though. I think I just played a better player today than the ones I played earlier in the week, and I wasn't able to have the same result."
A native of the Czech Republic, Vaidišová was hoping to get her season untracked here as she came in mired in a six-match losing-streak.
After a first-round bye, she move through the next two rounds to reach the quarters, where she was the highest-seeded player remaining.
The 81st-ranked Mattek, who is two wins away from her first career singles-title, was anything but intimated by Vaidišová. The 23-year-old was never broken during the encounter, closing things out in a tidy 53 minutes.
"I know [Vaidišová] hasn't had a lot of wins recently, so I really just wanted to make her play every point, and on my end stay aggressive," Mattek said. "I was standing pretty close to the baseline and putting pressure on her.
"So even when I wasn't hitting it as hard as she was, she was forced into some mistakes. I came out with a game-plan, and I'm happy it worked today."
Mattek and Yanina Wickmayer will clash in the semi-finals, with the winner booking a spot in her first WTA-level final.
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Kiwi Erakovic into Birmingham semi-finals (AFP)
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Third-seeded Czech Nicole Vaidišová slumped to unseeded Bethanie Mattek of the United States in just 52 minutes: 6-3 6-0.
After top seed Marion Bartoli's second-round loss and French Open runner-up Dinara Safina - who was to be the No.2 seed - pulling out of the event before it even started due to a low-back injury, Vaidišová was hoping to go all the way as the highest seed remaining as of the third round.
But Mattek had other ideas, moving into her second career semi-final.
"I know she hasn't had a lot of wins recently, so I really just wanted to make her play every point, and on my end stay aggressive," Mattek said.
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Teenage Wickmayer into Birmingham semis (AP)
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Wickmayer next plays another surprise semi-finalist: 81st-ranked Bethanie Mattek, who beat third-seeded Nicole Vaidišová 6-3 6-0.
Trailing 3-5 in the first set, Vaidišová missed two break-chances and lost seven straight games.
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South and Vaidišová wave goodbye to DFS Classic
http://www.lta.org.uk/News/All-news-items/South-and-Vaidisova-wave-goodbye-to-DFS-Classic/
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Melanie South of Surrey and tournament No.3 seed Nicole Vaidišová waved goodbye to the DFS Classic on Friday, losing in their quarter-final matches.
American Bethanie Mattek overcame a 62 ranking-place deficit to overhaul Vaidišová, whom she'd lost to in their only previous meeting at Indian Wells 2007, claiming their contest 6-3 6-0.
Mattek took just 52 minutes to reach the semi-finals of the WTA Tour event, and was delighted with her result. "My game-plan was just to make her play every point," said the 23-year-old. "I knew she hadn't had a lot of wins recently, and I wanted to stop her taking the initiative out there, and to really be aggressive myself.
"I served well today, and stood in on my returns, and put her under a lot of pressure so that she eventually made mistakes."
This was Mattek's best performance on grass, having lost in the first round of Wimbledon in 2007, and the world No.81 said she hoped this was a sign of success to come.
"I love grass, and I think it suits my game because I like to play aggressively. There aren't many tournaments on grass, but it's fun to come and play here once a year; I really enjoy it."
Vaidišová was gracious in defeat, praising Mattek. "Bethanie played a great match," said the world No.19. "It wasn't a great match for me. I definitely had chances to come back and didn't take them. I was tired and sore, and nothing really worked as I wanted it to today. But at the end of the day, I played a better player."
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Mattek Ousts Vaidišová; Bondarenkos One-For-Two
http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/1/newsroom/stories/?ContentID=2333
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Three seeds were still alive as of the quarter-finals, but going into the semi-finals, just one will be left standing after Nicole Vaidišová and Alyona Bondarenko were both bundled out of the tournament by unseeded opponents. Kateryna Bondarenko made it through, however.
Third seed Vaidišová was the first to go, succumbing to unseeded Bethanie Mattek in just 52 minutes: 6-3 6-0. After top seed Marion Bartoli's second-round loss and Dinara Safina - who was to be the No.2 seed - pulling out of the event before it even started due to a low-back injury, Vaidišová was hoping to go all the way as the highest seed remaining as of the third round. But Mattek had other ideas, moving into her second career WTA Tour semi-final, after going this far at Cincinnati in 2005.
"I know she hasn't had a lot of wins recently, so I really just wanted to make her play every point, and on my end stay aggressive," Mattek said. "I was standing pretty close to the baseline and putting pressure on her, so even when I wasn't hitting it as hard as she was, she was forced into some mistakes. I came out with a game-plan, and I'm happy it worked today."
"I think Bethanie played a great match, but I didn't," said Vaidišová, who had lost six matches in a row prior to her first two wins this week in Birmingham. "It has been a good week, though. I think I just played a better player today than the ones I played earlier in the week, and I wasn't able to have the same result."
Mattek now has four top-twenty scalps to her name, having beaten then-No.19 Jelena Jankovic at Cincinnati in 2005, then-No.18 Flavia Pennetta at Los Angeles in 2006, then-No.13 Tatiana Golovin at Memphis this year, and now the current No.19.
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