FIRST SET
Both players held their opening service games.. Marion strongly.

Marion then went on to win the next 4 games. Taking the first 6-2 in half an hour. The match was competitive, with Marion holding the upper hand.

2ND SET
The 2nd set was topsy turvy. Neither player able to hold serve until deep into the set.

Marion was first to serve. She offered up her first double fault of the match at game point. After 2 deuces Alona broke for 1-0. Marion immediately broke back to 15, and held for 2-1.

In the 4th Marion broke again to 30 for 3-1. With Alona bringing the set back on serve 3-2 with a break to 30. Then Marion broke again to 30 for 4-2.

Once again another break to 30, this time for Alona. 4-3. The next game Alona held strongly to love finishing with an ace, 4-4 on serve.

Again at the latter stage of a match Marion begins to labor - but she somehow found the resources within to hold for 5-4 after 6 deuces.

Both players then held tough service games to leave Alona serving to stay in the match at 6-5.

There then followed an injury time out where Marion was given attention for a blister on her foot.

Perhaps this time out was helpful... because Marion broke Alona, winning the match on her 2nd match point in the game.

Marion's opponent had much more winners today. But it's results that matter in the end. And on that count Alona's 45% of total points won to Marion's 55%, shows that Marion was well worth her 6-2 7-5 win.

NEXT ROUND
Next up Vera Dushevina who defeated Eleni Danilidou in straight sets.

On paper this is a match Marion should win. However Marion's win/loss record against Dushevina is a wee bit dodgy. Factor into the match that a partizan Russian crowd will be behind Dushevina.. Then a tough match is clearly in prospect.

Good Luck M!