Hampton Handles Memphis Defending Champ

Jamie Hampton withstood four set points against her in the first set of her upset of 2011 Memphis International titlist Magdalena Rybarikova.

Published Feburary 19, 2012 11:37

Hampton Handles Memphis Defending Champ
Jamie Hampton

MEMPHIS, TN, USA - American qualifier Jamie Hampton made Magdalena Rybarikova's title defense at the Memphis International a short one, eliminating the No.8 seed in first round play on Sunday.

Watch action from Dubai & Memphis on WTA Live powered by TennisTV!

In a rollercoaster first set, Rybarikova had two set points on her serve at 5-4, 40-15, but Hampton rallied and eventually forced a tie-break. In the tie-break, Rybarikova had set points at 6-4 and 6-5, but once again Hampton survived and went on to take the set. The momentum was squarely in her favor at that point and she cruised through the second set in 18 minutes. The 76(7) 60 triumph was just Hampton's third main draw WTA match win and her first over a seed.

Seventh-seeded Johanna Larsson almost joined Rybarikova as a qualifier's upset victim, but outlasted Irena Pavlovic, 46 64 75. The Swede came back from a 5-3 deficit in the third set to snap a five-match losing streak.

Other winners were Alberta Brianti, Olga Govortsova and Evgeniya Rodina. Brianti let a 5-2 second set lead slip away but was a 76(5) 57 61 winner over Mirjana Lucic. Govortsova overcame five set points against her in the second set of her 61 75 defeat of Vesna Dolonts. Rodina had the most lopsided scoreline of the day in beating Irina Falconi, 61 63.

No.1 seed Nadia Petrova is among those in first round action on Monday. Also on the schedule are a couple of promising American teenagers - 17-year-old Madison Keys and 18-year-old Sloane Stephens, who is the youngest player in the Top 100.

Share this page!

Related news

  • Tough Day For Seeds, Hlavackova Rolls

    May 13, 2013
    No.5 seeds Raquel Kops-Jones and Abigail Spears were ousted as the doubles event kicked off on Monday, but World No.4 doubles player Andrea Hlavackova slid through smoothly with Petra Martic.
  • Chan & Mladenovic Conquer Oeiras

    May 04, 2013
    Chan Hao-Ching and Kristina Mladenovic were victorious at the Portugal Open as Mladenovic tied the WTA lead for most doubles titles this season.
  • Mladenovic & Safarova's Amazing Day

    April 07, 2013
    Kristina Mladenovic and Lucie Safarova made quite an impression in their first tournament together, winning the Premier-level Family Circle Cup doubles title in Charleston on Sunday.
To The Top
3