Fed Cup Final: Schiavone v Oudin Match Resume

Fed Cup Final: Schiavone v Oudin Match Resume

Game-by-game coverage of the second rubber –
Francesca Schiavone v Melanie Oudin – at the 2009 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas Final in Reggio Calabria.

SCHIAVONE WINS MATCH

Schiavone 7-6(2) 6-2 Oudin*
Game, set and match. A netted forehand from Oudin gives Schiavone the victory. It wasn’t a completely convincing performance from the Italian – who is now saluting the crowd – but she did enough. USA has a mountain to climb on Sunday!

Schiavone* 7-6(2) 5-2 Oudin
Well, it’s not over until the fat lady sings – as the saying goes. Schiavone shanks a forehand wide and there is still hope for Oudin. Mary-Joe is trying her best to encourage her young player. Will it be enough?

Schiavone 7-6(2) 5-1 Oudin*
Oudin can’t stop the rot despite racing into a 30-0 lead. She’s lost the last five games and I think that spells the end of the American challenge in this match. Schiavone will serve for the match.

Schiavone* 7-6(2) 4-1 Oudin
Schiavone holds on a deuce game. That could have been Oudin’s last chance. The American has questioned a number of calls and on each occasion the whistles from from the crowd come reigning down. This is will be a new experience for the youngster. Has she got anything left in the tank?

Schiavone 7-6(2) 3-1 Oudin*
Oh dear… I’d be very worried if I was from USA! Schiavone breaks to love. This match could be over soon unless Oudin can dig deep and find a way of changing things – she hasn’t won a point for some time.

Schiavone* 7-6(2) 2-1 Oudin
Schiavone holds to love and skips to her chair. Oudin has had chances in this match but she just hasn’t been able to raise her game at the crucial time. An interesting Italian song is being pumped out at the change of ends – the crowd seem to be enjoying it!

Schiavone 7-6(2) 1-1 Oudin*
Alison Lang, the chair umpire from Great Britain, makes her first overule of the match in favour of Oudin – much to the disgust of the Italian crowd. It makes little difference though, more unforced errors hand Schiavone the break back.

Schiavone* 7-6(2) 0-1 Oudin
Oudin saves game points and breaks. It is a critical time of the match for the 18-year-old and she’s responded well. She needs to consolidate now.

SCHIAVONE WINS FIRST SET

Schiavone 7-6(2) Oudin*
Schiavone draws first blood with two mini breaks to lead 4-1. A few points later and the Italian crowd is on its feet. The set was clinched with an outrageous inside-out single-handed winning backhand return… that was awesome!

Schiavone* 6-6 Oudin
Schiavone holds to love and we’re heading for a breaker – easy game. It might be an obvious thing to say but this could go either way. Both players are producing more than their fair share of unforced errors.

Schiavone 5-6 Oudin*
Another break point saved by Oudin. She is showing some real grit out there – you can’t fault her effort. In case you were wondering, the weather is looking a bit better but still overcast and chilly!

Schiavone* 5-5 Oudin
Schiavone gets out of jail. She was 0-30 down but battled back to level things up with an ace. That was a big chance for Oudin – she netted an unforced error which would have given her three set points.

Schiavone 4-5 Oudin*
Gutsy stuff from Oudin, very gutsy. She saves three break points to edge ahead. There were multiple cries of “C’mon, lets go” from the American in that game. These are the moments that can turn matches. Will it turn this one… I’m not so sure!

Schiavone* 4-4 Oudin
Schiavone holds as Oudin’s second serve return sails long. The Italian is a different player since the rain break. She’s seems more focussed, more fired up. She’s hitting with a lot of topspin and Oudin is struggling to deal with it. The crowd are into it now.

Schiavone 3-4 Oudin*
Oudin gets us back under way but I bet she wishes she hadn’t… Schiavone breaks with a fantastic backhand drop shot. That was a really poor game from the American – a double fault and two unforced errors. We’re back on serve… game on!

3:15pm
We’re back… finally! The players are on court warming up again. The lights have been put on as well which is giving the occasion a bit of a ‘night-match’ feel. Schiavone needs to settle quickly after a shaky first six games. Oudin will be hoping for more of the same.

Schiavone* 2-4 Oudin
More like it from Schiavone, a few big serves and groundstrokes and she holds to love. The rain is teaming down now though – play is suspended again. This time the covers are on. Brace yourselves for a bit of a wait…

Schiavone 1-4 Oudin*
Since the first game, in which the Italian could have broken, Oudin has looked the more comfortable – calm and assured. She holds to go 4-1 up. Unbelievable first point in that game though: Schiavone hit a through-the-legs shot to retrieve a lob and went on to win the point with a backhand pass… the crowd went wild!

Schiavone* 1-3 Oudin
Interesting… Oudin breaks with a double fault. Very unlike Schiavone who is normally so dependable. Maybe the mini rain break affected her.

Schiavone 1-2 Oudin*
Ok, we’re back. Oudin holds comfortably to edge ahead. She’s not scared to come to the net and mix up play with the odd drop shot.

Schiavone 1-1 Oudin*
The rain is coming down… play suspended. The players are still on court though. If it’s a quick shower then we’ll resume straight away. I’m sat outdoors and am getting wet…

Schiavone* 1-1 Oudin
Comfortable hold for the Italian. She is a crafty player and just loves the atmosphere of Fed Cup. The crowd are starting to get involved.

Schiavone 0-1 Oudin*
And we’re off… Oudin serving! Nervy start from the American, she falls over in the first point and has to seek help from Mary-Joe in the way of a toweling down. The teenager recovers though to hold after a few deuces – beautiful backhand drop shot winner on the final point.

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