Things seemed headed for a championship clash between the Top 2 seeds but Daniela Hantuchova had different ideas on Friday, coming back from a set down to upset No.2 seed Jelena Jankovic in the quarterfinals of the $700,000 Family Circle Cup.Although clay had never been her favorite surface - she has been to finals on all other surfaces, but never on the dirt - Hantuchova, the No.8 seed, was tough as nails on the green clay of the Family Circle Tennis Center's Stadium court in the first match of the day, rebounding from a 1-6 first set to beat Jankovic, 16 63 63.
Hantuchova caught fire right from the beginning of the second set with her big groundstrokes and retrieved well as well, running down her Serbian opponent's down-the-lines and getting herself back into the points again and again. She dictated the points right until the end and even hit winners in the final game.
"I knew if I did the right stuff, I had a good chance today. I was very proud of the way I was fighting," Hantuchova said. "The first set was not easy. I felt very tired and tried not to think about it and go for my shots. But if I kept going like that, I figured I was not going to win. So I tried to put a little more on the ball, move her around more and stay aggressive, and that made the difference."
"Unfortunately I just couldn't do it today and she was the better player," Jankovic said. "When I had the opportunities, I lacked a little power, especially off the backhand side. That's my best shot, so I wasn't the player I could be."
Next up is No.4 seed Samantha Stosur, who beat Peng Shuai handily, 64 61.
"I'm in the semis and I think I've got as good a shot as anyone left in it to win," Stosur said. "Daniela and I have had some good matches in the past. It's going to be a tough battle but if I can keep playing the way I'm playing and maybe improve my service percentage a bit more, I'll have a good chance."
Caroline Wozniacki, the No.1 seed, had a better day at the office, getting past No.6 seed and former Family Circle Cup champion Nadia Petrova, 63 64.
"Today was more short points. I wasn't running as much as I was yesterday against Patty," Wozniacki said. "I feel I'm playing very well. I'm very confident and I've got some good results lately."
Next up is No.7 seed Vera Zvonareva, who beat No.13 seed Melanie Oudin, 75 62.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Singles - Quarterfinals
(1) Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) d. (6) Nadia Petrova (RUS) 63 64
(8) Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) d. (2) Jelena Jankovic (SRB) 16 63 63
(4) Samantha Stosur (AUS) d. Peng Shuai (CHN) 64 61
(7) Vera Zvonareva (RUS) d. (13) Melanie Oudin (USA) 75 62
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