Match Report: Anna Unable to Convert Key Points

Junior Wimbledon Qualifying Singles 2^nd Rd

Anna Fitzpatrick (GB) v Anastasia Pivovarova (RUS) 2-6 4-6

A convincing win over Akari Inoue of Japan in the first round of the Junior Wimbledon qualifying tournament saw Anna Fitzpatrick move smoothly into the second round only one match away from the much coveted main draw of Junior Wimbledon. 

However, Anna’s next opponent, Anastasia Pivovarova of Russia, had similar desires of a main draw spot.  Despite losing the first set 6-2 Anna turned her game around in the second and looked like a completely different player taking a commanding 4-1 lead with aggressive play both at the net and the back of the court. 

Unable to take advantage of a few critical points, Anna allowed the Russian back into the game and eventually she succumbed to a disappointing 6-2 6-4 loss.

A lack of confidence at the start saw Anna lag 5-1, yet three of the first six games went to deuce and had she converted three of the game points available to her the score could have been very different.  Yet at 5-1 down a new found confidence swept over Anna.  An aggressive player by nature she started to step into the ball, dictating play and honing in on her opponent’s weakness, the back hand.  Deep, penetrating shots saw her race through the game, and take the score to 5-2. 

Although losing the first set 6-2 Anna kept her new found momentum going into the second set.  A mixture of well placed ground stokes, approach shots and volleys saw her zip through the first three games and in a matter of minutes the Sheffield born youngster was 3-0 up. 

At the change over the Russian appeared to have problems with her knee and called the trainer on to tend to her injury.  Despite the disruption Anna was still in control by the next change of ends and comfortably 4-1 up.

4-1 up and everything to play for errors at crucial moments started to creep back into the young Brit’s  game.  With the Russian eager to maximise on every opportunity and putting pressure on Anna from the back of the court she slowly clawed her way back into the set. 

Serving at 40-0, 4-2 up a stunning backhand down the line from Pivovarova appeared to unsettle Anna and she let two more game points fade away through mistakes.  Before she new it, it was 4-4 and with the momentum firmly in favour of her opponent the set slipped away 6-4.

Anna was disappointed with the loss saying, “I knew I had some massive chances, especially in the second set.  She was getting annoyed and if I had won the game at 4-2 it would have made it much harder for her.  I needed to step up my level of aggression here to finish the set.  But there were positive things that I can take from this match, for example, my attitude was good throughout – I didn’t dwell on poor errors and I was trying to be aggressive throughout.”

A tough match to swallow for the MCTA player, but only a few points separated her from coming away victorious.  A bit more self belief and next time it will be a different story.