Russia’s Vera Zvonareva will face Serena William’s in Zvonareva’s first appearance in the Wimbledon finals, after beating the young Bulgarian Tsvetana Pironkova in three sets Thursday.
“I am very excited. I think I am not realizing it at the moment,” Zvonareva told the BBC. “It was very tough out there. She is a very young player but very, very tough opponent, and she started so well. I am happy the way I was able to hang in the match and was able to turn it around.”
It was very tough out there. She is a very young player but very, very tough opponent, and she started so well. I am happy the way I was able to hang in the match and was able to turn it around.”
Zvonareva lost the first set as Pironkova came out hitting hard backhands and big serves. The Russian fought off two set points before finally succumbing to the youthful energy of Pironkova.
The second set started was even until the sixth game, when Zvonareva broke Pironkova after a long game. The young Bulgarian had been playing a daring game since the match started—taking more chances and making more mistakes—but now nerves seemed to be recuing the number of chances which paid off.
Zvonareva, who has a reputation for collapsing in tough matches, instead got stronger as the set progressed, and evened up the match at a set each.
Zvonareva broke Pironkova in the first game of the third set, and again in the fifth game, seeming to have completely defused all of Pironkova’s varied forehands, which had given her such an edge in her match with Venus Williams.
Both players seemed to seize up with tension as the final set progressed; balls were flying everywhere as they missed clutch shots. Pironkova had two break points in the sixth game, but couldn’t convert.
Neither player stopped fighting; but Zvonareva made a few more shots while Pironkova made a few more errors. Pironkova, only 22, will have plenty of chances to win again at Wimbledon, judging from the skill she showed. But on this day, Zvonareva was better.
Vera Zvonareva will face Serena Williams Saturday for the Wimbledon ladies’ final.
“I am very excited. I think I am not realizing it at the moment,” Zvonareva told the BBC. “It was very tough out there. She is a very young player but very, very tough opponent, and she started so well. I am happy the way I was able to hang in the match and was able to turn it around.”
It was very tough out there. She is a very young player but very, very tough opponent, and she started so well. I am happy the way I was able to hang in the match and was able to turn it around.”
Zvonareva lost the first set as Pironkova came out hitting hard backhands and big serves. The Russian fought off two set points before finally succumbing to the youthful energy of Pironkova.
The second set started was even until the sixth game, when Zvonareva broke Pironkova after a long game. The young Bulgarian had been playing a daring game since the match started—taking more chances and making more mistakes—but now nerves seemed to be recuing the number of chances which paid off.
Zvonareva, who has a reputation for collapsing in tough matches, instead got stronger as the set progressed, and evened up the match at a set each.
Zvonareva broke Pironkova in the first game of the third set, and again in the fifth game, seeming to have completely defused all of Pironkova’s varied forehands, which had given her such an edge in her match with Venus Williams.
Both players seemed to seize up with tension as the final set progressed; balls were flying everywhere as they missed clutch shots. Pironkova had two break points in the sixth game, but couldn’t convert.
Neither player stopped fighting; but Zvonareva made a few more shots while Pironkova made a few more errors. Pironkova, only 22, will have plenty of chances to win again at Wimbledon, judging from the skill she showed. But on this day, Zvonareva was better.
Vera Zvonareva will face Serena Williams Saturday for the Wimbledon ladies’ final.
