05-24-2022, 10:26 AM
(This post was last modified: 05-24-2022, 10:50 AM by ColoradoTree.)
Ma got down 5-2 in her first, but she broke for 5-3 down, and then down 0-40 on her serve, fought to get to deciding point (set point for Kessler), and she took it to get to 5-4 down! Kessler will serve for the set after they change ends, but she slams the ball into the net in frustration after giving away that opportunity.
And Ma breaks again for 5-5!
Serving at 30-30, Ma lays down an absolutely filthy drop shot that barely clears the net. Kessler forced deciding point with a beautifully played point, but Ma takes her first lead of the match with a big overhead after a lengthy rally. Kessler will serve down 5-6 to force a tiebreaker.
Ma had a clear chance up 40-15 to take the set but dumped it into the net. Sigh. On the next point, Ma hits a cross court forehand that Kessler calls out, but the chair umpire overrules it, and that's the first set to Connie, 7-5! Both Kessler and her coach are pretty upset with that call (couldn't tell whether it was right from our limited view), but the first set is in the books.
And Ma breaks again for 5-5!
Serving at 30-30, Ma lays down an absolutely filthy drop shot that barely clears the net. Kessler forced deciding point with a beautifully played point, but Ma takes her first lead of the match with a big overhead after a lengthy rally. Kessler will serve down 5-6 to force a tiebreaker.
Ma had a clear chance up 40-15 to take the set but dumped it into the net. Sigh. On the next point, Ma hits a cross court forehand that Kessler calls out, but the chair umpire overrules it, and that's the first set to Connie, 7-5! Both Kessler and her coach are pretty upset with that call (couldn't tell whether it was right from our limited view), but the first set is in the books.