A more than sufficient performance is not enough for Lucia Bronzetti to get the better of Anastasija Potapova in the second round of the WTA 250 in Birmingham. The Russian, already at three to zero in the head-to-head matches before the match, prevailed after two extremely hard-fought sets with a score of 6-3, 7-5. The gap of over thirty positions in the world ranking was not evident, with the number 67 Bronzetti battling on equal terms on grass, certainly not her favorite surface. Potapova, number 36 and seventh seed, made better use of the opportunities available. Like in the first set when, after a break on each side, she broke the Verucchio player’s serve at 3-2 and then ended up finishing at 6-3. The second set went in fits and starts, with the Russian initially seeming ready to make a real escape at 3-1. Bronzetti, however, reacted with energy and, with a partial of four games to one, she found herself ahead 5-4, one step away from the third set. Especially at 15-30 on Potapova’s next serve. Two points away from parity, but everything has changed for the umpteenth time. The Russian averted the danger, scored three points in a row to win the game, broke the Verucchio player’s serve at 15 and won her, the final game, again at 15, rejoicing at the first matchpoint.
