Davenport into the semifinal at the Family Circle

Charleston SC USA
By Etienne Stekelenburg
April 11 2003

Third seed Lindsay Davenport defeats Vera Zvonareva from Russia for a place in the semifinals of the Family Circle Cup Charleston USA. Lindsay Davenport won in two straight set againt the 18 year-old Russian Vera Zvonareva after a tiebreak in the first set. 7-6 6-3.

Lindsay Davenport beats Vera Zvonareva in a good match in preparation for a semifinal meeting against Jelena Dokic or Serena Williams. Zvonareva lost to Davenport who was spreading the balls all over court and who always won the shorter rallies. Zvonareva won the longer rallies when Davenport came a little short in speed.

After Davenport breaks for 3-2 in the first set she could not hold her advantage and lost her serve with a double fault and a forced error wide. Zvonareva leads 5-4 when Davenport seems to have trouble with her left knee during the changeover. Davenport equals 5-5 with good spreading and short rallies and she breaks the Russian at 0-40 for 6-5.

Serving for the first set Davenport is troubled by the wind and Zvonareva is playing a good backhand leading into a rebreak for 6 all in the first set. When Davenport takes the first break in the tie for 3-2, Zvonareva can take the rebreak for 3-3 but lost her serve and the tie
6-3.

Davenport scored 21 winners and 14 unforced errors in the first set. Zvoraneva had 9 winners and 4 unforced errors.

Lindsay Davenport takes a quick 3-0 lead in the second set. Zvoraneva starts to play with a little more pressure and breaks Davenports serve to come back 3-2. The Moscow born Zvoraneva leveled the score 3-3 after making good use of her forehand shots and winning her own serve.

Davenport breaks for 5-3 and served for the match and after being 0-40 behind she can take the game, set and match 7-6 6-3

Davenport reached a 66 % on her first serve and hit 41 winners and 28 unforced errors in this match. Zvonareva had a 56 % first serve percentage, 16 winners and 9 unforced errors.