This is a really surprising result. Yes McHale has had some good results but I thought the pressure would show today (obviously it didn't).
At least Daniela wasn't in the side of the draw that has opened right up. It is really only in the bottom half that there are big chances for the un-seeded / lower-seeded players. In the top-half Wozniacki and Jankovic (two solid clay-court players) are still in contention, so it would have been tough for Daniela, even if she had beaten McHale, to go much beyond the quarter-finals or better her semi-final run of last year.

pity, again... Maybe if she had won the 1st set, it could have been otherwise in the 2nd or 3rd...



never mind, moving on doubles now.

Hantuchova did not hide disappointment after defeat. "Bugging me that because the match was in my directing. I pushed rival, virtually every game I had a gem-point, but I missed the chance, what I vypomstilo. Škoda beginning of the match, when I led 3 : 0 and 40:0, but was not able to get double Brejk. McHale played there two aces and gradually caught. nothing to lose, played without inhibitions. These tennis players are always very dangerous. I am impressed by its second service, which was deep and very effective. In the tie-break I made ​​some mistakes, I gave a couple of throw-millimeter, on the contrary rival repeatedly mopped up the line. The second set I lost 1:6, but it could turn out quite differently. In any Geme we pulled through the match."

"I did not have in Charleston is no great expectations. I told you that I go from match to match. After the opening two smooth victories over Russia Kudriavcevovou and Rodina, but I felt that I should be able to get further than the fourth round. I played relaxed without pressure. the more sorry for the loss of McHale," said Hantuchova, who on Thursday failed in Charleston or fourth round in doubles.
Together with Russian Maria Kirilenko lost to the fourth pair of deployed American Bethanie Mattek Sands, Meghann Shaughnessy 5-7, 6-7 (2).

"Truth be told, I would prefer a home in recent days because it was already too much. After Miami I had no time to rest, yesterday and today in Charleston I had played two matches. In doubles I did not even start. Changing the surface and cramped wrestling program, it certainly does not benefit my arm with which I start on clay last season, had problems," said Hantuchova, who after arriving in Bratislava at the beginning of next week will involve the preparation of the Fed Cup match with Serbia.
@ google translation.

Sounds like Wozniacki just 'pushed' her way to victory today. Just ten unforced errors in her straight-sets win over Vesnina. Her style of play is always going to be successful on clay, particularly on the WTA.

With today's news of Clijsters' ankle (she will not play Rome either now, and is also doubtful for Roland Garros), I just hope some of the other top players can challenge Wozniacki on the European clay. Venus Williams would certainly cause some problems for Caroline, but she hasn't played since Melbourne and her level over the coming months could be erratic. Stosur and Schiavone have been very average this year, and Jankovic goes in-and-out of form. Azarenka is obviously playing well (winning Marbella today), and I think she'll be a serious contender throughout the rest of the European clay events. Sharapova and Ivanovic are also playing reasonably well, and of course Ivanovic has done well on the clay in the past. It should be an interesting clay season, despite the absense of Kim and Serena.