My original onsite report from www.sports-india.com:
Tough start for our girl, who faced a 0-40 situation against her serve in the first game. The Italian converted the second break point - but did not do any better at own serve, when she double-faulted at 0-40 to tie the score. Shika did better now and though she struggled with her serve and even faced another break point in the fifth game, she managed to stand the pressure and win the games. Shika looked to be the better, more powerful, more skilled player - but she just comitted too many mistakes in crucial situations so far. Significantly, she struggled in the seventh game again after she managed to turn a 15-40 at own serve into a two-in -a-row advantage server - but the two oppportunities to lead 4-3 were followed by two more break points, which were finally converted by the Italian. Errani now lead 40-0 at own serve, but Shika fought back, deuced the points and also stood another Ad server situation, before she had break point thrice. While the Italian saved the first two ones, she ended up her lead by herself - with a double fault. Tennis is a sports you need a high mental strength at - isn't it? Shika was now the better player, but could not score a break, so that the tie-breaker had to decide the first set. Shika comitted an early double fault, but tied the point to 3-3 at court change with a wonderful return shot. Afterwards, Shika scored four straight points to win the first set.
Second set started like the first one: Sara Errani got broken in the first game, but managed to get the re-break in the second one. But this time, this double break was followed by a third one, when Shika won all points in the third game. Our Indian girl now dominated the match and even could affort to waste three consecutive break points at 0-40 in the fifth game at Sara's serve. Therefore, she broke her in the seventh one, which made Shika serve for the match at 5-2. Errani had the chance to come back in the match, but her break point at 30-40 was slammed down by a beautiful cross shot by Shika. Two points later, Mrs Uberoi advanced to the second round of the US Open qualifying by a very pleasing performance.
