Powerful Dokic beats Ondraskova
Jelena Dokic revived memories of her thrilling run to the quarter-finals of the 2009 Australian Open on Monday, trouncing Czech Zuzana Ondraskova 6-3 6-2 in the opening round at Melbourne Park.
Melbourne, 17 January 2011 | AAP
Jelena Dokic revived memories of her thrilling run to the quarter-finals of the 2009 Australian Open on Monday, trouncing Czech Zuzana Ondraskova 6-3 6-2 in the opening round at Melbourne Park.
The 27-year-old Dokic justified Tennis Australia’s decision to award her a wildcard by belting Ondraskova in just 67 minutes before a partisan capacity crowd at Margaret Court Arena.
She became the first Australian to win a match at the 2011 Open with her first victory at a major tournament since beating Karolina Sprem of Croatia in the first round of the 2009 French Open.
Even a brief rain delay midway through the second set failed to halt Dokic’s momentum against Ondraskova, whose mediocre career grand slam win-loss record slumped to 4-18.
“It’s a really different crowd to Rod Laver Arena, they are louder, but it’s a great crowd and I had to focus hard at the start because it was so loud,” said Dokic.
“I have nothing to lose, it’s already a bonus that I’ve won the first round … I’m just going to go out there relaxed.”
Dokic made all the running, belting 24 winners to only nine from Ondraskova.
The Australian baseliner, who was ranked as high as No.4 in the world back in 2003, had her career revitalised by her quarter-final appearance at Melbourne Park two years ago.