Coetzer: "It's disappointing."
Jidkova Joy as Coezter Crashes Out
MEMPHIS (February 19) - Top seed Amanda Coetzer was the first big-name casualty at the Kroger St. Jude as the South African went down 6-3, 7-6(5) to Russia's Alina Jidkova.
Coetzer, who finished 2001 at No. 19 in the world and owns eight career titles, saved a match point at 6-5 in the second set, but could not prevent the Russian moving into the quarterfinals.
"It's disappointing," said Coetzer. "I had a lot of opportunities. She played well and had a lot of confidence, while I was a little tentative. The competition is tough - there's never an easy match out there."
It was a big win for Jidkova, who underwent knee surgery in April 2001. "I'm really happy to have won in two sets," she said. "Amanda is such a good athlete that I knew it would be difficult if it went to a third set. I have an aggressive game and I felt comfortable out there. I kept going for my shots and hopefully it will continue."
Revenge
Earlier in the day, third seed Ai Sugiyama had no such problems as she progressed to the quarterfinals with a 6-2, 7-6(3) victory over fellow Japanese native Shinobu Asagoe. She was joined in the last eight by American Jill Craybas, who defeated Aniko Kapros of Hungary 2-6, 6-4, 6-4.
In first round action, lucky loser Erika De Lone avenged her loss to Antonella Serra Zanetti in the final qualifying round by winning 6-2, 6-4 in the main draw. She now meets Serra Zanetti's sister Adriana for a place in the quarterfinals.
Coetzer, who finished 2001 at No. 19 in the world and owns eight career titles, saved a match point at 6-5 in the second set, but could not prevent the Russian moving into the quarterfinals.
"It's disappointing," said Coetzer. "I had a lot of opportunities. She played well and had a lot of confidence, while I was a little tentative. The competition is tough - there's never an easy match out there."
It was a big win for Jidkova, who underwent knee surgery in April 2001. "I'm really happy to have won in two sets," she said. "Amanda is such a good athlete that I knew it would be difficult if it went to a third set. I have an aggressive game and I felt comfortable out there. I kept going for my shots and hopefully it will continue."
Revenge
Earlier in the day, third seed Ai Sugiyama had no such problems as she progressed to the quarterfinals with a 6-2, 7-6(3) victory over fellow Japanese native Shinobu Asagoe. She was joined in the last eight by American Jill Craybas, who defeated Aniko Kapros of Hungary 2-6, 6-4, 6-4.
In first round action, lucky loser Erika De Lone avenged her loss to Antonella Serra Zanetti in the final qualifying round by winning 6-2, 6-4 in the main draw. She now meets Serra Zanetti's sister Adriana for a place in the quarterfinals.
