Beaten favorites find reasons for loss

AP Photo

AP Photo

The ongoing BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California is filled with upsets, especially in the women’s side wherein the second and third-seeded players bounced out in the second round of competitions (despite enjoying a bye in the first round).

Second seed Jelena Jankovic of Serbia was beaten by Russian teenager Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova while third seed Russian Elena Dementieva was outlasted by Czech player Petra Cetkovska.

Both players, considered as favorites to win this tournament, have stated their reasons for losing in just their first match of the tournament.

Jankovic admitted that she’s struggling to find her game at the moment and even went as far as saying that she’s also struggling with her confidence on the court. The Serbian has been logging early exits in tournaments for the past three months.

Meanwhile, Dementieva reasoned that her hectic schedule has taken its toll on her. She’s played one of the most numbers of matches so far this season, highlighted with her back-to-back titles in Auckland and Sydney plus a semi-final finish at the Australian Open.

Despite her ordeal, Jankovic, who achieved the world number one ranking last season, made light of her situation and came out with a witty remark.
“I wish I had a magic stick and could just fix my game and just start playing awesome tennis again. I would like it to be that way, but sometimes it’s not,” she said.

Dementieva would certainly want one.