Report on Lea's participation in the Women's US Open (Singles & Doubles)
It was a superb weekend of competition at the Philadelphia Racquet Club, marked by intense matches and emotions.
In the singles, Lea Van Der Zwalmen reached the final after two clear-cut 6/0 6/0 victories in the quarter-finals and semi-finals. In the final, she faced Claire Fahey for a high-level duel. The first set was hotly contested, with every game being closely contested, before Fahey prevailed 6/4. In the second set, although still fighting, Lea failed to capitalize on her opportunities, losing 6/0. A frustrating defeat, but a good learning experience for the rest of the season.
But the real surprise came from the double! Alongside the American Annie Clark, Lea beat off the odds to win the final against the big favourites, Claire Fahey et Jo See Tan, winning her second Grand Slam doubles title.
Fahey and Tan got off to a strong start, taking advantage of Clark's inaccurate volleys to take a quick 3-0 lead. But then the french player and her american partner found their rhythm. By playing Tan tactically on the tambour and exploiting her less precise returns, they came back to 3-3. Lea, very solid at the back of the court, wreaked havoc with her backhand and ended the set with a superb shot into the grille, expressed with a fist-pump and a high-five with Clark.
Fahey, stung to the core, dominated the early stages of the second set, winning set after set with confidence, while Tan grew in confidence on the volley. Lea and Annie managed to claw back a few games in the middle of the set, but the number 1 seeds kept control and won the set 6/3.
It all came down to a decisive final set. Van Der Zwalmen & Clark took the lead by exploiting angles and putting pressure on Tan. While Fahey seemed unflappable, a few unusual errors - notably a double fault - allowed the outsiders to extend their lead. At 4-2, they strung together an impressive run of eight points in a row, due in particular to a Annie Clark, who responded with ease against Fahey's own bullets hit at over 130 kph.
The turning point of the match was a marathon seventh game, played to numerous ties. In the end, it was Lea's precise shot between Tan and the wall that gave them the 5-2 lead. In the final game, under pressure from Clark's serve, they closed out the match with a well-placed last ball into the winning gallery.
Score final :
🏆 Annie Clark & Lea Van Der Zwalmen beat Claire Fahey & Jo See Tan 6/4 3/6 6/2
to watch the game again or for the first time: https://www.youtube.com/live/V5cOVUBKP0M?si=hwMRFk5QIHiwKwy-
A big thanks again to Ryan for the great streaming!
