Apia International Sydney Tennis - Australian Open Series

Dellacqua beaten in first round

Dellacqua beaten in first round

AAP Monday 12 January 2009 4 Comments »

Australian Casey Dellacqua has been knocked out of the Medibank International Sydney by Italian Sara Errani 6-1 6-2 on Ken Rosewall Arena today.

The Italian took just over an hour to eliminate Dellacqua, winning 6-1 6-2 in dominant fashion.

The performance was a disappointing one by world No.53 Dellacqua, who showed little of the fight Queenslander Sam Stosur displayed in her first round exit to No.1 seed Serena Williams on Sunday.

Dellacqua, who won the only previous meeting between these two players in France last year, has now lost three of her four singles matches in 2009.

The West Australian missed three break points in the first set and then lost her way with her serve in the second, committing three double faults.

Almost fittingly, Dellacqua’s last shot handed the match to Errani as she struck a forehand into the net.

Errani will now progress to a second round match-up against Stosur’s conqueror Williams.

Monday was a better day for Slovakian-born Australian Jarmila Gajdosova, who breezed into the second round with a 6-4 6-2 win over Italy’s Karin Knapp.

Brisbane International winner Victoria Azarenka had been slated to play Gajdosova but withdrew early on Monday due to a virus, allowing lucky loser Knapp into the main draw.

Gajdosova will now meet 2008 Olympic gold medallist Elena Dementieva who overcame fellow Russian Ekaterina Makarova 7-5 6-1.

The fourth seed will be joined in the second round by eighth seed Caroline Wozniacki, who set up a match against British qualifier Melanie South with a straight sets win over Slovakia’s Dominika Cibulkova.

South progressed when France’s Marion Bartoli retired with a left calf muscle strain.

Also into the second round is French youngster Alize Cornet who caused the first major upset on Ken Rosewall Arena by ousting Russian seventh seed Nadia Petrova 6-2 6-4.

Fourth seed Vera Zvonareva has withdrawn from the tournament due to a bout of gastroenteritis.

Photos: Official players party

Video: Official players party

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  • jake

    yeah just a bit to nervous intense infront of her home crowd ahwell all the best for the open

  • tara

    yeah its okay casey you can always get better just got nervice. all the best in melbourne for australian open

  • Fiery Fred

    she was looking so fit too I am devastated. I was going to go tomorrow now I might just go for a swim.

  • Terry McCauley

    I watched the Casey Dellacqua match today on the television and was disappointed for Casey that the air of expectation after her great 2008 might just be a little difficult for her to bear.

    I hope that she has a better tournament in the doubles and takes new confidence and game play with her to Melbourne for the Aussie Open.

    Chin up Casey!

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