By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Sunday, January 14, 2024
Staring down a one-set, 1-3 deficit, Barbora Krejickova felt Happy Slam descend to Scary Sunday.
Struggling to carry serve, muttering frustrations to herself, pained by a cranky ankle and dealing with the prospect of her sixth opening-round Grand Slam exit in 16 main appearances, Krejcikova was in no temper for crash-and-burn.
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The reigning AO doubles champion dug down, cleaned up her act on serve and accelerated by way of a 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 Australian Open comeback win over tough Japanese wild card Mai Hontama.
A draining two-and-a-half hour tug-of-war noticed main-draw debutant Hontama dictate play for the primary set-and-a-half.
On this present day, Krejcikova’s grit and combat have been was important parts as her serve and forehand.
“it was a really difficult match. I was set down, break down,” Krejcikova mentioned. “Tough one. I felt I wasn’t really playing my best tennis, and I also felt she was playing really well.
“I imply, I’m actually pleased with the best way how I used to be capable of flip across the second set, with the best way how I switched my recreation. Yeah, I imply, I feel the second set was perhaps the important thing, after which I really feel within the third undoubtedly the break at 4-3 was the important thing to get the win.”
The 2021 Roland Garros singles and doubles champion took a medical timeout for taping on her foot and ankle while up 3-2 in the final set. Krejcikova held at 15 for 4-3 then battled through one of the longest games of the match, a 16-point pressure-packed event, converting her second break point for 5-3.
Krejcikova won eight of the last 10 points played on her serve to complete a comeback on a day in which the No. 122-ranked Hontama converted six of 12 break points.
The ninth-seeded Krejcikova will face German Tamara Korpatsch in round two.
Krejcikova hopes this comeback will be a launching pad for a greater Grand Slam season than 2023.
A year ago, Krejcikova reached the AO fourth round then managed just one singles win in the final three Slams of the season. The two-time AO doubles champion worked overtime for a well-earned win and says she’s ready for more.
“Well, I really feel good. I really feel very hungry,” Krejcikova said. “I actually need to be there. I actually need to combat. I actually need to get the wins, and I actually need to get again on observe and carry out effectively and get some good matches.
“I believe I’m on a good way, and the plan is to just keep going and just keep trying to get better every day.”
Photo credit score: Robert Prange/Getty
Source: www.tennisnow.com
