Gisela Dulko, like Dinara Safina, has two serves--one is deadly, the other is practically nonexistent. She brought the second one to her final in Bogota today, double-faulting thirteen times against Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez. Martinez Sanchez upset Dulko 6-3, 6-2, to win the title.
Speaking of Dulko, it didn't exactly surprise me, but I'm sure it surprised many, to see her as number 4 on both 2009 Sony Ericsson WTA Tour power index lists. The television commentators always go on and on about how Dulko doesn't have the power to play whoever her opponent is, and while they are saying this, she is smacking the ball in a spectacular way. Last year, in Charleston, she gave Serena Williams a real run, and in the middle of one long rally, some terribly sexist--but accurate--man yelled out "That little girl can hit the ball!" It's true. Dulko is a very small woman, but she can really hit the ball.
The left-handed Martinez Sanchez reached the third round of the Australian Open this year, but was then defeated by countrywoman Carla Suarez Navarro.
She also gave Serena a hard time at this year's Australian Open.
ReplyDeleteI thought that was Serena's toughest match.
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