Wickmayer escapes Errani in three sets

Belgian Yanina Wickmayer has managed to escape from a grueling three-set tactical battle, edging a tentative Sara Errani 6-1 6-7(4) 6-3 in their third-round women’s singles clash.

Australians love an underdog and a fighter, and Wickmayer was both on Friday. The world No. 16 overcame back pain and her Italian opponent after taking the long route through the qualifying tournament to make the main draw this week at Melbourne Park.

Wickmayer’s courage and hunger is making her a favourite with Australian Open crowds this year, and after ousting Italian Flavia Pennetta in her previous match, she started like a rocket against Errani, blasting six winners in the first two games.

A fortunate net cord and an ace sent her ahead 4-1, and while Errani, who helped the Italian Fed Cup team to victory last year, saved three set points, she was unable to convert her own opportunities. Wickmayer sprinted away with the first set 6-1.

Clay-courter Errani saved break points in the first game of the second set, but the courtside cameras were all focusing on the other side of the net as the 20-year old Belgian looked assured of a comfortable victory.

It was at this point that the feisty Italian began to stand and deliver her own winners. An unplayable backhand down the line broke the previously impenetrable Wickmayer serve, and Errani’s spirits lifted at the same time as the Belgian’s shoulders began to sag.

Errani was also aware of her opponent’s back pain and began to lengthen the rallies. Three Wickmayer forehand errors saw Errani nudge ahead 5-4, but she failed to take advantage of two set points in subsequent games, and the set moved into a tie-breaker.

Wickmayer staggered to the baseline after a medical time-out for some lower-back manipulation. The crowd was silent, and Wickmayer appeared to be down for the count after an upbeat Errani took the tie-breaker and pushed the match into a third set.

Errani had more chances to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time as she cleverly varied the pace and depth of her shots and broke in the third game. But the killer blow failed to materialise as a resurgent Wickmayer broke back in the fourth game, much to the crowd’s delight, and again in the sixth following more Errani errors to go ahead 5-3.

Wickmayer seized her opportunity, served out the match, and booked a showdown with compatriot Justine Henin in the fourth round.

Current Match on Margaret Court Arena Margaret Court Arena - Women's Singles - 3rd Round Sara Errani ITA 1 77 3 Yanina Wickmayer BEL 6 64 6 Match Statistics Serve Statistics