Spaniard rallies for victory
CARLA Suarez Navarro pulled off one of the most dramatic comeback wins of the Australian Open over Anett Kontaveit yesterday to win through to the quarter-finals.
Suarez Navarro, 29, was down 1-4 in the second set but won five-straight games to force an enthralling third set.
Again, the Spaniard was almost gone with Kontaveit serving for the match at 5-4, but Suarez Navarro rallied again late in the third set, breaking the Estonian’s serve.
Suarez Navarro survived another nervous late moment to set up a second match point when her forehand bounced twice on the tape and trickled over the net to help seal the 4-6, 6-4, 8-6 win.
The world No.39 will face No.2 seed Caroline Wozniacki.
Suarez Navarro yesterday said she was able to turn the momentum in the second set by playing more offensively against the world No.33.
“That’s what my team was saying, just play aggressive, play aggressive,” Suarez Navarro said. “I try to be focused all the time and try to play my game, that’s it.
“It was tough because she started very well and I had to fight.”
Suarez Navarro is one of the few remaining women’s players with a one-handed backhand and said she took her inspiration from Justine Henin-Hardenne.