Hantuchova downs Venus in Eastbourne

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Wilson Blade 9

Venus Williams survived one more round than her sister Serena at the AEGON International in Eastbourne, but that was it, in the quarterfinals she lost to in-form Daniela Hantuchova, who played the final of Birmingham last week. Hantuchova’s first win over Venus in their eleven meetings, and actually the first in ten years, came after a tough battle with both Venus and the wind.

In the first set of the Eastbourne quarterfinal, Hantuchova converted two of three break opportunities she had and held her serve throughout the set to win it 6-2.  The Slovak world No.25 looked to be on a good way to victory while leading 6-2 4-2, but Venus fought back and won the second set 7-5. In the decider Hantuchova took command again and advanced to the semifinals where she will play fifth seed Petra Kvitova. Final score: 6-2 5-7 6-2.

Hantuchova was Eastbourne runner-up in 2004. (photo: Stephane Martinache)

10 COMMENTS

  1. Regarding the draw of Wimbledon, for any player, it’s probably much scarier to have seed #25 (Hantuchova) than seed #7 (Serena) in her quarter. If only she can proof us that she can go all the way through at a Slam! In her whole career, she has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, at the crossroad of her current form peak and the “weak” forces of WTA.

  2. Daniela has been on fire latly! If she can get everything together next week, I think we might see her in a slam and I hold my breath…title, touch wood.

    I think Daniela is the most dangerous player in the draw, simply because Serena is yet to reach her top form.

  3. Congrats to Dani on the win, the longtime veteran deserved to finally get a win over Venus. Sammie Stosur is too good of a player to be 0-8 vs Sharapova and she’ll break that curse one day. What is Petra still doing out there? She’s played enough to be tuned up for Wimby … lose and go rest up girl .. #%&$

    BTW sorry folks, Dani has already peaked too soon concerning winning Wimby. Nope, not gonna happen and you can bet my house on it.

  4. Helen, it’s always dangerous! At bet365.com, Daniela is “only” 25/1 to winning Wimbledon, 10th position. Well, they put Serena at 10/3 in first position. Big lol! I’m betting my house that Serena won’t win Wimbledon. Anyway, I’m renting my house 😉

  5. Daniela is a lovely player to watch and nice and quiet.
    Victoria Azarenka is the most annoying player on womens tour. People leave the court in droves when she is playing. Cannot she be told quietly on the side to calm it down. You can hear her screech on other courts near by spoiling peoples enjoyment.
    I do not mind a grunt but the screeching just goes too far.

  6. Congratulations to Daniela, she was calm during the match and simply better at all points of the game. However, this was the first tournament Venus played since her comeback and she’s not in top-form but I expect to see more from her in Wimbledon.

    Anyway, even though I do not post comments very often I am a regular visitor of the blog, so Marija I would ask you to post a review of the the pre-Wimbledon party held last night, there were many outfits we girls would like to talk about 😀

  7. I was impressed by Dani yesterday. She is playing better than ever. I think older players are now very confident and maybe fulfilling some of the goals they had when they were younger.

  8. Her draw at Wimbledon is interesting. Hantuchova would meet Azarenka on third round, but I’m sure that she can take her, and then the quarter is not bad.

  9. Marija-oh, nice to see you join the comments! 🙂 I’ve just published a post about the most memorable player from the party, Bethanie Mattek Sands and her weird outfit. 🙂

  10. Hantuchova played a Venus just coming from injury break…maybe Vee felt sorry for her 10-0 is too much for Daniela s fragile psyche.She will lose early as always…

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