Fitzpatrick Suffers Hamilton Heartbreak
 
Playing in her first tournament of the North American summer circuit, Anna Fitzpatrick suffered a hard-fought three-set loss in the opening round of the $25,000 ITF event in Hamilton, Canada on Tuesday.
 
Anna, who reached the semifinals of the Junior Wimbledon Championships earlier this month, went down 7-6(2), 6-7(3), 6-3 to No. 5 seed Michaela Johansson of Sweden on the clay courts in Canada.
 
The 18-year-old from Sheffield, currently ranked a career-high No. 401, was leading with breaks of serve in both the first and third sets, only for her higher-ranked Swedish opponent to hit back.
 
“It was a match in which Anna had many opportunities but didn’t quite execute when she had the chance,” said coach Antony Hampson. “When she commits to her shots we all know she is very dangerous, but she also needs to focus on the basics when she is leading.”
 
Anna soon put the disappointment of her singles defeat behind her as she teamed up with fellow Monte-Carlo Tennis Academy member Ana Veselinovic to win their opening doubles match.
 
Anna and Ana, seeded No. 3, came through 6-1, 6-4 against Irina Falconi and Nina Pantic to reach the second round.
 
“It was a sign of Anna’s growing maturity that she could back up a disappointing loss with a very good performance,” said Hampson. “It was by far the best match doubles match I have seen them play.”
 
Veselinovic, who is seeded No. 8 in the singles competition, begins her campaign against Canada’s Heidi El Tabakh on Wednesday.