French Open 2020: after 24 breaks! Bertens wins drama match against Errani
The Dutch Kiki Bertens moved into round 3 of the French Open after an absurd three-sentence thriller against Sara Errani .
by Florian Goosmann
last edit: Sep 30, 2020, 03:42 pm
Bertens and Errani played on each other for 3 hours and 11 minutes, with the better ending for Bertens: In the end she won 7: 6 (3), 3: 6 and 9: 7.
Errani had massive problems with throwing the ball on serve throughout the match, she had to start again several times - sometimes up to six times - and suffered various "time violations" which ultimately led to the loss of the first serve. Her list ended up with 12 double faults.
The Italian has struggled with service for a long time , hitting from below 35 times in Bogota last year.
This time, too, Errani more and more often avoided the serve from below when she had to go through the second service; not least because she ran out of time after several balls thrown too far to the left. Bertens often countered with the stop, but just as often couldn't really make use of Errani's objections.
10 breaks in a row in sentence 3
The third sentence offered pure drama: Towards the end, Bertens was hit on his right thigh and had to be massaged through, but Errani didn't seem to really believe that, she made fun of her opponent at times.
The Italian, formerly number 5 and currently only number 150 in the world, then took the lead with the game to make it 3-2 with a break, but could never transport it. After 10 breaks in a row (!) And one match point at 5: 6, Bertens finally won the game to 8: 7. Errani turned 0:40 again, Bertens finally turned match point number five with a backhand smash and sank crying to the floor.
The Italian couldn't muster more than a short nod when leaving in the direction of the winner; when she left the square, at least one could hear a loud Italian curse.
Bertens then had to undergo treatment on his right elbow and was finally driven off the field in a wheelchair.
rg2020