Tenaciously Tennis

Veteran Patty Schnyder continues to make noise on tour at the smaller events with her recent upset of Daniela Hantuchova at the Generali Ladies tournament in Linz. This semifinal appearance marks her third for the season, having advanced to the finals in Budapest and the final four in Prague back in July. Schnyder beat Hantuchova in a routine 6-4, 6-4 win as the world’s 47th-ranked player.

Up next for Schnyder is Andrea Petkovic, who is currently ranked 36. The two last met in 2009 at the Budapest tournament. There, Schnyder won 7-6 (3), 6-3. As a personal favorite and an experienced player with a strong record this year, I’ll take Schnyder over Petkovic in straight sets. Schnyder’s done well so far this tournament. In fact, she hasn’t dropped a set so far. I predict that she continues the same trend to make the finals. There, she has the chance to meet either Roberta Vinci, or a resurgent Ana Ivanovic.

Speaking of Ivanovic, what’s up with the recent bathroom break / game deduction that Ivanovic suffered during her match against Barbora Zahlavova Strycova. After holding to lead 1-0, Ivanovic left the court to use the bathroom, complaining of stomach problems related to yogurt consumption. “When she returned,” writes a recent Associated Press article, “the match was tied 1-1.”

Although it’s typical for players to use the restroom after the conclusion of the first set, they may also go before preparing to serve. Ivanovic, however, believed the chair umpired had agreed to let her go before Strycova’s service. That, obviously, wasn’t the case. Ivanovic blames the lost game on a miscommunication. “I was really surprised to be punished,” she told reporters.

Regardless, Ivanovic didn’t lose focus. Instead, she won 6-3, 6-2. Now, she has a strong chance to face Schnyder in the finals in what would be an exciting match. Schnyder will need any free points she can possibly get, although their career head-to-head is locked at 4-all Ivanovic has taken the last four matches. During their last meeting during the 2008 French Open, Ivanovic won 6-3, 6-2. I strongly doubt that Ivanovic will be taking more bathroom breaks before her opponent’s serve any time soon.