Lucie Safarova continues to build off of her fighting spirit as she battled back from the brink of defeat to overcome Jana Cepelova of Slovakia. Safarova needed two hours and 36 minutes to put away Cepelpva, 4-6, 6-1, 12-10. The Czech booked her place in her third straight round of 16 at the All England Club.
Slovak impressively takes the first set, battles back from three-game deficit
Safarova and Cepelova matched up for a thrilling third-round matchup. The pair had played on two previous occasions, but they both occurred three or more years ago. The match began and the Czech lefty stepped up to serve to commence play. The first game was fairly streaky with both players holding chances to start the match off on the right foot and it was Safarova who grabbed the opening game.
Three consecutive forehand errors of the Cepelova racquet saw the Czech hold early break-point opportunities. The Slovak failed to get a serve in play to hand the 2-0 lead to her counterpart. Safarova then stepped up to potentially consolidate her break. Cepelova made the task simple for the lefty after the Slovak fired four consecutive errors.
However, the momentum was shifted as soon as the qualifier got onto the scoreboard thanks to two aces in the fourth game. Cepelova put her foot on the gas pedal and utilized her nifty shot selection to crawl back to a level scoreline at three games apiece.
The Safarova game suddenly began to fill with errors and despite coming back from 0-40 in the seventh game, Cepelova was still able to break on her fourth time of asking. The Slovakian served to increase her 4-3 lead. The Czech’s backhand began to break down and Cepelova was able to consolidate the break to clinch her fifth straight game. A Safarova hold to 30 forced the Slovak to serve out the set. Cepelova was up for the task and stole the first set six games to four thanks to yet another missed lefty backhand.
Czech cruises to level match at one set apiece, Safarova drops just one game
After a disappointing opening set, Safarova cleaned up her game and opened up the second set with four winners in the first game. Her hold was followed by a break to 30 which consisted of two heavy forehand winners. Suddenly, the 28th seed started to find her rhythm as she held to love for a 3-0 edge after striking three consecutive winners. However, Cepelova attempted to stop the bleeding by saving two break points to avoid a second set bagel.
Safarova stayed calm and increased her lead to 4-1 to put herself within reach of forcing a deciding set. The Czech’s backhand rose to the occasion as she utilized it to overcome any signs of a Cepelova come back. Safarova was to serve as she led five games to one. The pressure and nerves did not faze her and she countered a double-fault with an ace. They exchanged errors until the game score arrived at 40-30 where the lefty held her first set point. A forehand winner by Safarova sealed the second set in her favor, 6-1.
Czech pulls put the three-set thriller deep into the third set, saves one match point
Players exchange holds for first seven games, Safarova pulls through deep in the third set. Just one break point was faced in the opening stage of set number three, but it was Cepelova who was able to fend off the lone break point faced. The eight game of the final set saw Safarova attempt the keep the set on serve, but she fell back 15-40 due to inconsistencies in her groundstrokes. Cepelova stole the game with a forehand winner to put herself in a winning position as she just needed to hold serve the following game. However, things became complicated when Safarova reeled off back-to-back games for a level third-set scoreboard.
The pair then proceeded to exchange holds yet again until the Slovakian qualifier held a match point on return. Safarova trailed 9-8 in the final set and was forced to serve to keep her Wimbledon hopes alive. As she was down 30-40 in the game, Cepelova misfired off of her forehand wing to spare the Czech’s chance at a win.
Safarova held with back-to-back winners before the pair exchanged the following two games to bring the set to 10-10. The 28th seed held on and broke Cepelova on her first time of asking. Safarova earned the chance to serve for a spot in the second week. On the Czech’s first match point, she closed the victory out with a forehand winner. Safarova advanced to her first Grand Slam fourth round in 12 months.
Safarova to play a Kazakh in round four
The Czech lefty will meet Yaroslava Shvedova in the round of 16 on Manic Monday if the weather permits. The pair has played on three previous occasions with Shvedova having won all of them. Their last meeting was in Indian Wells this year where the Kazakh stole the show, 6-3, 6-4. However, their fourth round encounter will be the first time they will meet on grass.