Ena Shibahara struggled to get into the match. But the American finally managed to impose his explosive game.
American Ena Shibahara won the first match of the Master’U BNP Paribas final against Britain’s Emma Hurst (5-7, 7-5, 6-4). At the end of a crazy game.
“Time”. The referee announces the restart. Emma Hurst leads 5-4 in the second set. The Brit is about to serve for the match. The sixty spectators of the central court are certain, Great Britain will register the first point of the final. And yet! Hurst collapses, and commits two double-faults. Ena Shibahara recollects. Unexpected, as the American suffered the law of his opponent since the beginning of the game. For Barry Scollo, the British coach, there is no doubt: “This is the turning point of the game. At that moment, the American played very well. She really made the difference. ”
Shibahara regains confidence, and wins the second run 7-5. Nets, winning shots, intense exchanges … The rest is crazy. The two players chained the breaks. Seven in the third set. The USA ! USA! And let’s go GB, let’s go! Answer each other. The exceptional level amazes the audience, and Greg Patton. The American coach leaves Marcq-en-Baroeul for Hollywood: “” It’s like in a movie of Tom Cruise .. She was a prisoner, then she found herself in the desert. … And in the end, she escapes on horseback! She survived! ”
At the end of the round, the American imposes her energy and her physique. But Emma Hurst holds to the end. She saves six match points on his serve. Shibahara converts the seventh. After 2:15 fight, the final is launched.