Coming to the Volvo Car Open, world No.37 Laura Siegemund had won only one singles match in 2017, but at the Premier-level tournament in Charleston the German was victorious in two three-setters, the last one being an epic 6-4 6-7(3) 7-5 triumph over legend Venus Williams in the second round on Wednesday.
In an encounter that lasted over three hours, both players displayed remarkable aggressive tennis, evident in their positive winners-to-unforced-errors differential: Siegemund hit 52 winners to 41 unforced errors, while the third-seeded Williams recorded 45 winners and 39 unforced errors.
The 29-year-old Siegemund, who saved two match points in the third set when Williams served for the victory, did have similar matches earlier this year, but she was losing them and her confidence was shrinking. To waste a match point in the second set, but then reel off the last three games in the decider, including two breaks of Williams’ serve, is a big confidence booster for Siegemund, who next faces seed No.15 Lucie Safarova on green clay. (photo: Jimmie48)
Transition from hard courts to clay has been very difficult for most players. Venus will likely to bounce back again soon. She’ll end the year in Top 10 for sure.
It’s a confidence boost for Laura. Hope she can win more matches since she’ll be defending a lot of points in Stuttgart.