HP Japan Women's Open 2009
Osaka WTA - $220,000
Round 2 (16)
Doha Dream Still Intact
Promising Japanese youngster Kurumi Nara has been making great strides on the challenger circuit this year, but facing Marion Bartoli was a real baptism of fire into top flight tennis for the 17 year old.
Absorbing an early double fault, Nara did well to hold serve playing her very first game of tennis against a top 20 star. But to collide with a former Wimbledon finalist chasing a place at the Year Ending Championships in Doha proved a step too far on the day.
Perhaps the most telling statistic of the match is that Marion didn't face a single break point, yet to be fair to Kumuri Naram this wasn't entirely reflective of the direction of many of the games themselves, especially in the first set. There were several 30-30 and deuce situations - the French number 1's experience crucial in such situations.
Steph Myles writes on Open Court that she seen Kurumi Nara and Misaki Doi play doubles a couple of years ago, she was impressed by their wide-eyed enthusiasm for tennis and the tennis scene. Today will have been a brisk learning experience for Kurumi Nara, but surely in years to come, we are quite likely to get to know this young lady a little better.
In the quarter final Marion will play Sania Mirza. The Tour confirm Marion is still vying for a Doha place, and will be well motivated to level the 1-0 head to head advantage that the Indian star has held since the 2005 US Open. She got the job done efficiently today. You can ask nothing more.
Check out the Osaka gallery on the Tour website, there is one photo featuring Marion and the other players attending a player reception party.
A photo of Marion and Kurumi Nara from today's match, here.
Match Statistics
| Player | K Nara JPA | M Bartoli FRA |
| Aces | 0 | 3 |
| Double Faults | 3 | 3 |
| 1st Serve % | 57% | 74% |
| 1st Serve Pts Won | 48% | 82% |
| 2nd Serve Pts Won | 24% | 50% |
| Break Points Saved | 3/8 | 0/0 |
| Service Games Played | 7 | 7 |
| 1st Serve Return Pts Won | 18% | 52% |
| 2nd Serve Return Pts Won | 50% | 76% |
| Break Points Won | 0/0 | 5/8 |
| Return Games Played | 7 | 7 |
| Total Service Pts Won | 38% | 74% |
| Total Return Pts Won | 26% | 63% |
| Total Pts Win | 32% | 68% |
| Duration | 1hr 01mins 34secs | |
| Fan Blog Moodset | ||
Update 15:40
The match against Mirza is not on tomorrow's schedule and will therefore take place on Friday. The final is on Sunday.
Some footage from the match
I expect the kid was nervous as well, playing in front of a home crowd. She might well be the new Ai Sugiyama
Sania next for Marion. Good tosee her coming back to form.