Laura Siegemund meets the best version of Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and misses out on the Australian Open round of 16

Friday, 17 January 2025 at 04:12

Pavlyuchenkova Anastasia Dubai2020 scaled

John Cain Arena, Melbourne, January 17, 2025 - Match Report 'Game by Game' Round 3 Australia Open: Anastasia PAVLYUCHENKOVA vs. Laura SIEGEMUND.

Laura Siegemund and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova met in a lopsided third-round match at the Australian Open today. Siegemund entered the contest full of confidence after her impressive 7-6, 6-3 victory over Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen in the previous round. That win marked her first top-five triumph outside Stuttgart’s indoor clay courts. In the first round, she had already showcased her fighting spirit with a remarkable comeback against Hailey Baptiste (4-6, 7-5, 6-4).

Pavlyuchenkova also reached the third round through determination and grit. She battled past Yuan Yue and Anastasia Potapova in two three-set matches, the latter disrupted by multiple rain delays. The Russian displayed strong Grand Slam form, advancing to the third round of a major for the 23rd time in her career. She brought the experience of three Australian Open quarterfinals to this encounter.

The players entered the match tied 1-1 in their head-to-head record. Their most recent meeting occurred in Stuttgart in 2016, where Siegemund claimed a straight-sets victory in front of her home fans. However, Pavlyuchenkova, seeded 27th, aimed to leverage her superior experience on the big stage. Both players knew the stakes were high, as they fought for a coveted spot in the tournament’s second week.

Siegemund is unlucky in the first set, she meets the best version of Pavlyuchenkova there is

Both players choose purple outfits and step onto the court in a sunny 20-degree arena filled with an eager crowd..

Pavlyuchenkova starts aggressively, charging the net after her serves. However, a few errors creep into her high-energy opening game, bringing the score quickly to 40:40. Siegemund stays steady from the baseline, exchanging points with Pavlyuchenkova. After four deuces, the Russian fires an ace to earn her second game point and eventually holds serve with effort. 1-0

Siegemund begins her first service game confidently, racing to a 40:0 lead. But back-to-back double faults shift the momentum. With 13 minutes already elapsed, Pavlyuchenkova claws back to deuce. The Russian applies pressure with deep forehand shots into Siegemund’s corner, earning her first break point. Siegemund responds with an ace and a well-crafted rally point, managing to hold serve just before her time for the service runs out. The score levels at 1-1, setting the stage for a competitive match?

In the third game, Pavlyuchenkova asserts dominance with powerful tennis. The former French Open finalist secures a 2-1 lead, showing her strong form.

Siegemund delivers a well-placed smash after her serve despite battling the bright sun, earning an applause-worthy point. Playing with focus reminiscent of her previous win against Qinwen Zheng, she tries to control the game. However, Pavlyuchenkova, hitting harder than Zheng did two days prior, refuses to yield. At 30:40, the Russian earns a break point and executes a sharp forehand winner into Siegemund’s corner, breaking her serve. 3-1 Pavlyuchenkova.

Already in this early phase of the match, Pavlyuchenkova exudes confidence. She powers through her service game to 40:0 with ease, while Siegemund appears shaken. Pavlyuchenkova secures her third consecutive game, raising her level to one Siegemund struggles to match. 4-1.

During the changeover, "Pump it Up!" blasts from the speakers, urging Siegemund to rally. She starts her service game with a double fault, edging closer to another break. Pavlyuchenkova capitalizes, putting the score at 0:30 with a forceful forehand. Siegemund finds some rhythm, finishing a volley smash to claim her first net point, but the Russian counters with a stunning passing shot along the line. Facing two break points, Siegemund saves the first with what becomes the point of the match: Pavlyuchenkova attempts a delicate dropshot, only for Siegemund to respond with an excellent lob. However, in the following baseline rally, Pavlyuchenkova outmaneuvers her opponent, showcasing her dominance. 5-1 Pavlyuchenkova.

Siegemund tries to salvage the set, aiming to carry positive momentum into the next. She begins her service game at 0:30, but Pavlyuchenkova's relentless attacks on her baseline leave no room for a comeback. The Russian clinches four consecutive points to close out the set emphatically. 6-1 Pavlyuchenkova.

During the break, Siegemund takes a bathroom pause to regroup. She returns to the court wearing a light green outfit, ready to give the second set her all.

Pavlyuchenkova doesn't give an inch in the second set and wins deservedly

With worried looks from her box behind her, Laura Siegemund battles her way to deuce, but Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova earns a second break point. Siegemund fires back with her second ace of the match, a point that gives her a much-needed boost. She finishes her service game with a powerful smash, leaving a glimmer of hope. 0:1 Siegemund.

Pavlyuchenkova suddenly starts overthinking her opponent, a pattern that often disrupts her mental game. She recovers from 15:30 to game point at 40:30, but Siegemund’s ball clips the net and drops over. Deuce. A wild forehand from the Russian flies out, giving Siegemund a break point. However, she struggles to return the serve, and Pavlyuchenkova confidently holds to 1:1.

Laura Siegemund begins to show frustration, grumbling after falling behind 0:30 and making a careless error. A double fault underscores her mental slump, and Pavlyuchenkova capitalizes, racing to a 6:1 lead. She prepares to serve for 3:1, which could be a decisive blow. The crowd responds tepidly, far from the energy and excitement seen against Qinwen Zheng. Siegemund has little to draw strength from.

The German's disheartened expression says it all. She appears frustrated with her own performance as Pavlyuchenkova extends her lead to 3:1, taking advantage of Siegemund’s unforced errors.

Read also

The contrast between the players’ support teams is striking. Siegemund shouts toward her box in frustration, while Pavlyuchenkova’s box jumps to their feet for every point she wins. The game seesaws from 30:0 to 30:40, then to deuce. Pavlyuchenkova earns her second break point but squanders it with a wild backhand that soars into the stands. The level of play dips, though Pavlyuchenkova maintains a slight edge. At deuce, the Russian crafts a beautiful backhand volley to earn her third break point and converts this time. 4:1 Pavlyuchenkova. It’s fair to say she’s delivering one of her best performances in recent years.

Siegemund’s struggles continue. The sun glares, disappears, and then blinds again during Pavlyuchenkova’s service game. Frustrated, Siegemund gestures toward her box. At 30:15, she fails to counter the Russian's aggressive forehand set-up, which ends with a clean winner. Pavlyuchenkova, seemingly unstoppable, breezes through to 5:1. She’s playing like she’s floating on air – an unstoppable rhythm.

The seventh game of the second set could be Siegemund’s last. She has only won two service games so far. Yet, as the outcome feels inevitable, she suddenly plays with more freedom and reaches 40:30. For the first time, she shows a small fist pump after winning her service game. Could things have turned out differently if she had played with this mindset from the start? It’s easy to wonder, but this is a Grand Slam – the ultimate challenge. 5:2.

Pavlyuchenkova’s movement slows, and she has to fight her way to 30:30. Despite the pressure, she earns a match point and seals the victory with another precise forehand winner. A commanding performance.

Final score: PAVLYUCHENKOVA vs. SIEGEMUND 6-1, 6-2

Laura Siegemund fought as hard as she could today, but it wasn't her day. The Russian, on the other hand, had a brilliant day and reached the last 16 of the Australian Open for the first time in a long time.