[ajmo!]

Again owning Hampton.
Next round will be tough whoever she plays.

[croat123]

she plays dulko

very promising win over hampton imo

[SERVivor]

I don't know what to expect against Dulko. On one hand, Dulko has been basically a doubles specialist the last year, save a fourth round appearance at the French Open last year. Before beating Navarro today, her only wins this year were a close one over Kathryn Woerle, and a 1-0 win against Dokic when Dokic retired after just one game. I think it's gonna depend on whether Dulko's heart is still in singles. Sure, she had a big win today, but it was a long, tough match, and she has to back it up in less than 24 hours. If she still cares about singles and is anxious to defend her 2011 French Open points and is thus motivated, I fear Lucic is going to be in for a tough day. But if Dulko is satisfied with beating Navarro, then Lucic can win. One thing is certain, Lucic will have to serve better than the 37% first serves she put in play today. Dulko is a good returner, especially on clay. Lucic should be able to attack the Dulko second serve, but she isn't likely to see many as Dulko served at about 75% today. Fortunately, Dulko's first serve isn't strong and she was broken 7 times today.

[mikireturns]

Fine work by Mrs. Lucic ... her ground game must have been sharp and determined, considering her grievous 39% 1st serve stat. Clearly she was trying to produce big tennis. She's still scary on her break point conversions, but this win ought to give her confidence in that department for the next match. One has to think that her service numbers can only get better tomorrow. Can she get them at least into the low 50s?!? She clearly guarded her own serve admirably. Only one bp against her? Is that you, Mirjana?

Navarro, who has always been a streaky enigma, would have been the more daunting mental opponent for Mirjana, I think. Dulko certainly does not have the kind of singles mojo she once had, and I never consider Carla as being a particularly big scalp to take, no matter what she's ranked. This will be a good opportunity for Mirjana. She'll be confident going into the match (as will Dulko?). Get the serve numbers up, Lucic.

Whatever happens, Mirjana got a win today and is not ready to go away. Very winnable match to qualify, especially if her coach/hitting partner scouts Dulko and tells her that the girl has won only 2 matches (basically) all year.

Focus, focus, focus. Clean, smart, strong. GL, Mirjana.

[networthy]

Originally Posted by SERVivor

Before beating Navarro today, her only wins this year were a close one over Kathryn Woerle, and a 1-0 win against Dokic when Dokic retired after just one game.

Originally Posted by mikireturns

Very winnable match to qualify, especially if her coach/hitting partner scouts Dulko and tells her that the girl has won only 2 matches (basically) all year.

Dulko's W-L record in her last 18 singles matches is 4-14. Unfortunately--and I hate to be the one to point this out--11 of those 14 losses have been to players ranked much higher than Mirjana. Only one loss has been to a player ranked lower, and it was to Panova, who at #118, was around Mirjana's current ranking.

Dulko must be considered the favorite.

[volume3d]

OMG this is some crazy match right now...I just cant watch scoreboard anymore

EDIT: Queen Miki won 63 67(7) 64....
I just started watching that scorboard in 3rd set....

She was down 2:3* .....broke her for 3:3.....faced BP in that game, saved......broke her for *5:3...lost that serve with ZERO 5:4 ..... had 0:40 in that game, Dulko saved all 3 match point...but Miki won next

What happened in that 2nd set?

[kfh_9118]

Originally Posted by volume3d

OMG this is some crazy match right now...I just cant watch scoreboard anymore

same here, so much up and down.
Miki already wasted several MPs

[markdelaney]

Originally Posted by kfh_9118

same here, so much up and down.
Miki already wasted several MPs

she puts us through a trauma every time but she finally won 6-3 6-7 6-4. I started watching the scoreboard at 3-1 in the second set tiebreak so don't know what happened first. Double faults at 5-5 and 7-7 in the tiebreak, then 5 more DF to go 1-3 BP down in the third set. Wins 4 games in a row, then gets broken, then breaks again after having let 0-40 back to Deuce.

Madness

[kfh_9118]

Miki finally won 6-3 6-7(7) 6-4

down 0-2 first set, fought back to win the set
second set pretty even, tough to lose with that scoreline, was sure she would just throw away the match now
third set, down 0-2 and several BPs to make it 0-3*, Miki fought hard to make it 1-2, then 1-3 and suddenly she won 4 games in a row after winning a tough 5th game, when she wasted 3 BPs in a row at one point.

served for the match at 5-3, got broken, and finally won after broke Dulko's serve (again after wasted several MPs).

hoping for good draw in MD now, and hopefully another win or two

proud of your fight today, miki

[xcrtbckhnd]

Nice work Miki!!!! WTA main draw!!!!!

[croat123]

She did it!!

[mikireturns]

Wow, glad I was asleep while this was being contested. I was not sure about her chances ... Dulko is such a crafty clay courted and had shown signs of rebirth in beating Top 50 Carla. But what an effort from Mirjana. Her numbers were nice ... 9 aces to "only" 10 DFs and she held her nerve to get that match point at last; Dulko is dangerous and not easy to put away.

Main draw placements for qualifiers are all interesting. Mirjana has to feel great about this effort and talk about reversing the stink of last year's Rome fiasco. Hey, she's out there earning WTA main draws ... BIG ones. GL in the next day and coming weeks, Mirjana.

[volume3d]

Vinci vs [WC] Knapp
Q vs [14] Cibulkova

[3] Radwanska vs BYE
Cetkovska vs Q
Q vs Q
Pennetta vs [16] Kirilenko

[9] S. Williams vs Voskoboeva
Petrova vs Q

[7] Bartoli vs BYE
Q vs Goerges
King vs Pironkova
Q vs [12] Kerber

[13] Ivanovic vs Kuznetsova
[WC] Brianti vs Q

Some really scary placements LOL !
Kerber, Cibulkova, Goerges, Petrova....
I want this Q vs Q placement, or Brianti

[Hele.]

Two very good wins! First pretty easy win over top 100 player Hampton. And second one is very encouraging because of way in which Miki did it. Although Dulko is out of top 100 and in total slump this year, she is clay court specialist.

[mikireturns]

It won't be Goerges or Kerber she faces, and won't play till Tuesday. So, that leaves Cibulkova (revenge would be sweet), Petrova (Queen of Head-Case Unpredictability), Brianti (Interesting), or a fellow qualifier (nice, depending on who it is). I think I'm missing someone, but can't ... Oh, Cetkovska (Also Interesting, at least on clay). GL Lucic, whomever you get.