2:2 – Jule Niemeier remains stable in his own service, but the 22-year-old still does not have complete sovereignty here. Can she take control here again?
2:1 – Niemeier can’t think of much at the moment. Maria lures the Dortmund woman to the net with her unpleasant slice – and then plays concentrated passing balls. Niemeier misses the forehand and is 1:2 behind. But everything in order so far. The voltage increases.
1:1 – Important game win for Niemeier, who now has to regain security in their game. Although she still makes too many unnecessary mistakes, she hits her first ace and can thus equalize for the time being. 1:1
1:0 – Maria picks up where she left off, Niemeier is currently making too many mistakes. The phase in which this match will be decided is slowly beginning.
sentence 2
6-2 – ELIGIBLE SETS. What a last point in this sentence – with the better outcome for Tatjana Maria, who gets the second sentence! Niemeier attacks, Maria is only on the defensive, but puts a ball on the baseline with an arc lamp. Niemeier can only react with a fantastic tweener (punch through the legs). But Maria advances to the net, clenches her fist – and takes the second set. Earned!
5:2 – Niemeier misses the great opportunity to work out two break balls. At 30:15 her smash lands in the net. Lucky for Maria, who scores the following points and pulls away to 5:2.
4:2 – Niemeier does not want to give up the second set yet. She takes the sixth game in the second set with a service winner to zero. But she is still one break behind.
4:1 – Maria is now the better player here, also because Niemeier is currently off track. But suddenly the 34-year-old wobbles and produces an unnecessary double fault. Nevertheless, she remains stable, wins a long slice duel – and remains the one break in front. Everything is currently looking like a decisive third set.
3:1 – Nervous! At 30:30, Niemeier produces her ninth (!) double fault in the match. Maria stays on the break ball and forces Niemeier to make a mistake. The 34-year-old extends her lead, it’s 3-1.
2:1 – But can Maria now hold her serve? Yes. She takes the game and takes the lead for the first time ever in the match. How does Niemeier react?
1:1 – Can Maria counter promptly? Yes! With a sensitive slice, the 34-year-old gets a break ball. Niemeier can still fend off the first, but on the second she plays aggressively on the net and, with a bit of luck, puts the ball over the net. Maria is back!
0:1 – Maria is allowed to open the second set but struggles again and faces break balls. A great exchange of blows develops, with advantages on one side and on the other. Niemeier then plays a world-class lob, which is followed by a fantastic backhand pass. Early break for Niemeier!