Rogers’ Breakout Run Ends in Title Match Loss to Germany’s Petkovic

July 14, 2014 | By New York Tennis Magazine Staff
200418_194192283947170_2742576_n_0

American Shelby Rogers’ magical run at the Gastein Ladies tournament in Austria came to an end on Sunday as the 21-year old American fell to Germany’s Andrea Petkovic 3-6, 3-6 in the event’s title match.

Rogers had her chances early; breaking the 20th-ranked Petkovic’s serve to go up 2-1 in the opening set. However, the German was able to able to fight back and level the frame at 3-3. From there, Petkovic took it to the young American, rattling off six straight games to capture the first set and take a commanding 3-0 lead in the second.

While Rogers would not go quietly, the experience and discipline of Petkovic was too much. After Rogers crept back to 2-3 down, Petkovic would jump ahead 5-2 and eventually get a break point to win the final set 6-3 to win the Gastein Ladies trophy.

“It’s a super feeling, I am totally happy,” said Petkovic. “I want back into the top 10 and I am just playing good tennis. My serve and my footwork can still improve but I am playing well.”

Petkovic made it to the semifinals at the French Open, and the Gastein Ladies marked her first clay-court tournament since Roland Garros.

Despite the loss, Rogers enjoyed the best week of her young, professional career up to this point. She entered the tournament without ever picking up a top 50 win, and notched three (#16 Carla Suarez-Navarro, #40 Camila Giorgi and #14 Sara Errani) in this tournament alone.

“I had an incredible time,” said a reflective Rogers. “This is definitely been a week I will not forget.”


New York Tennis Magazine Staff
Oneononedoubles banner art resize
USTA NTC

January/February 2024 Digital Edition