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ROGERS CUP > MONTREAL > HARD > TIER I > QF
If it where not for the mere fact that there's a tier I trophy up for grabs, one could describe today's victory as above and beyond the call of duty.
For Marion to dismiss Ai Sugiyama in straight sets just 20 hours after heroicly defeating Chakvetadze, shows remarkable character, and proves again that Marion Bartoli is a player worthy of commanding much more respect than is usually accorded her.
It was hard for Marion today to maintain as consistent a first serve as she has done recently. Nevertheless she quickly broke Sugiyama's serve, and battled hard to hold her own. Soon it was 4-0 Marion.
Despite the fact that a trio of second serves opened the door for Sugiyama to get one of the breaks back, Marion swiftly took ownership of the set 6-2 while in reciept of the far more wobbly Sugiyama serve.
2nd Set
After a triple deuce hold at the beginning of the 2nd set, Sugiyama coasted the slipstream of this minor confidence booster by breaking Marion and consolidating for a 3-1 lead.
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In the past month or two we have seen Marion fighting back in matches from all kinds of awkward situations. Today, a break down, and facing a player she hasnt a good historic record against, Marion showed Sugiyama that the tables where turning.
Back to back double faults from Sugiyama enabled Marion to immediately retrieve the break for 3-3.
A hold to 30 and a then break to 30 brought the score to 5-3, and Sugiyama's double fault count to nine.
Marion now had to show her metal, serving for the match at 5-3.
Consecutive 2nd serves gave Sugiyama a brief look in, at Love 30. But Marion fought back to 30 all, and gutsily fought off two break back points to win the match with her first matchpoint.
6-2 6-3. Miss. Bartoli.
In tommorrows semi final Marion will play Dominika Cibulkova.
Cibulkova defeated world number 2 Jelena Jankovic in straight sets earlier today. However Marion beat Cibulkova in their previous meeting.
Well done Marion. Very proud of you.
Good luck tommorrow!
Edited 08:00 02/08/08
come on marion!!!
good luck!!!