Vaidisova Defeats Koukalova

From the Philadelphia Inquirer: Young Czech star dodges an upset

With each grimace of frustration from Nicole Vaidisova last night, the organizers of the Advanta Championships at Villanova's sparsely filled Pavilion shook their fists at the tennis gods, wondering what they had done to deserve such a run of misfortune.

The tournament had already lost much of its glitter when injury and illness sidelined Lindsay Davenport and Maria Sharapova after the sisters Williams turned their thumbs down on it a while back. In all, three of the top five seeds had dropped out of the field.

Now here was the seventh-seeded Vaidisova, the streaking 16-year-old Czech whose star is rapidly rising, on the verge of being extinguished by her more seasoned countrywoman, unseeded Klara Koukalova...

But in a match in which both players labored to gather momentum, Vaidisova, down by 1-4 in the third set, kept launching her laser serve, and the 23-year-old Koukalova wilted down the stretch. Vaidisova broke Koukalova twice and swept the last five games to advance to the quarterfinals with a 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 triumph.

"I just kept fighting," Vaidisova said. "She played great. Her ground strokes really worked, and I just kept telling myself to keep trying, that anything could happen. Somehow, I just turned it around. I know I was up and down the whole time, but like I said, I think she played a great match. She had not much to lose."...

Vaidisova, who doesn't turn 17 until April 23, has the longest active match winning streak on the WTA Tour. Apparently, though, even the athletes from Prague know about the old cliché of taking them one at a time.

"No, not at all," she said when asked if she was conscious of her string of victories. "This is a new tournament. I don't really follow that that much."

Comments

[Luis Tejada]

I think Nicole Vaidisova will be the number one player of the world. She has everything to be a great Champion. It is just a matter of time! With her skills, determination, and good coaching there is nothing to stop her. Mark my words, she will be Number 1. By the way, she is also incredibly good looking. Keep on the good work Nicole, I am definitely a big fan of yours.

[Luis Tejada]

I think Nicole Vaidisova will be the number one player of the world. She has everything to be a great Champion. It is just a matter of time! With her skills, determination, and good coaching there is nothing to stop her. Mark my words, she will be Number 1. By the way, she is also incredibly good looking. Keep on the good work Nicole, I am definitely a big fan of yours.

[Emily]

It's a bit too early to be assure that. Every number 1 has something "special" in his/her game. Vaidisova is incredibly good, but I haven't found something "sparkling" in her game.

[Luis Tejada]

I am surprised you have not found something "sparkling" in her game. There are so many things sparkling in her game! The main thing that she needs to work on is in her mind. As in any sport you need talent, physical conditions, and a tough mind. Her recent loss against Mauresmo is just an example, but she is very young and that's the main element that she needs to improve in order to become the number 1. Also with good coaching, she will be able to make the necessary adjustments to make her game second to none.

[Luis]

Way the go Nicole, you are making my words come true. Keep on the good work. You deserve the best!

Sincerely
Your biggest fan!