montreal2008sfvCibulkova08AP
ROGERS CUP > MONTREAL > HARD > TI > SF

Marion Misses Out On Debut Tier I Final

A match interrupted by two rain delays, and finishing nearly eight hours after it began, sadly ended in dissapointment for Marion and her fans. Marion lost 6 4, 4 6, 3 6, to Slovak Dominika Cibulkova.

Her ankle taped up from the previous days match with Sugiyama, the now almost obligatory strong early lead didnt happen for Marion. A portent of the days events perhaps.

The opening four games went with serve. Marion unable to convert the first break point of the match, as Cibulkova held following six deuces for 2 2. Serving her first double fault of the match, Marions opponent broke her to 30 and then held.

Marion held and boldy broke back to love, for 4 4. She was now beginning to get a handle on the match, winning points with several cheeky lobs.

Cibulkova tried to maintain her momentum, reaching another break point, But Marion held for 4 5.

Marions winner ratio was now exceeding Cibulkovas, Soon Marion had two set points. She used just the one. 6 4 Marion, and on course for her second final in successive tournaments.

2ND SET
As both players took to their respective ends for the beginning of the 2nd set, Rain began to fall. Marion seem to gesture concern even irritation to the umpire. The match was suspended on the first point of the 2nd set, on Marions second serve.

Marion was slower to negotiate the interuption to play when it eventually resumed. She went down a break, uncharacteristicly missing a few returns, A brave hold kept her in the hunt,

With Marion 1 2 down, but having breakpoint against Cibulkova, the match was again suspended after little more than 10 minutes play.

Following another lengthy disruption, play finally resumed. Marion took that breakpoint, for 2 2.

Both players swapped breaks and holds for 4 4.

One of the salient features of the match was the amount of points Cibulkova was winning on her 2nd serves. Her 2nd serve was apparenty yielding more success than her first.

A disastrous break to love and a hard fought Cibulkova hold, gave Marions opponent her first ever set against her.

Taken. 1 set all.

3RD SET
The match was now turrning. Although Marions strong returning was earning her lengthy deuce games and the occasional breakpoint on Cibulkovas serve, Cibulkova game by contrast was laconic and persistent. Soon marion was down 1 3 in the deciding set, and in trouble.

As ever brave Marion battled tooth and claw, ripping a game back for 2 3. Mutual holds and it was 3 4. On the one hand Marion battled for dear life to hold her own service games, and on the other hand sought to unlock Cibulkovas game when recieving serve. But as each game came and went, chances to break back where running out, and with it also her chance of making a second final in successive tournaments.

Failure to convert two break back points, gave Cibulkova a 3 5 lead. Leaving Marion the unenviable task of serving to stay in the tournament on a dank brooding evening in Montreal.

It wasnt to be. Despite Marion having game point, Cibulkova broke for the set 6 3, and the match.

It's hard to properly digest all the events of a hectic week with defeat sticking in ones throat. Defeat hurts. The bigger the stakes, the bigger the hurt. Especially when defeat occurs against a player dismissed comfortably, only months previously. Thats tennis.

Nevertheless, Marion has shown tremendous character in overcoming a lot of fitness issues, and tournament and player frustrations this week. The performances she given recently have significantly ameliorated her win loss record for the year, and a variety of other statistics. Fans can be rightly proud of her effort, and look forward to the rest of the season with justifiable optimism and anticipation.

The lasting imprint of Montreal and Stanford reads..

Bartoli is back.