US Open 2013: Sara Errani crashes out

New York, Aug 30 (IANS)

Flavia Pennetta of Italy embraces Sara Errani of Italy at the net following their women’s singles second round match on Day Four of the 2013 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 29, 2013 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/Getty Images)

It wasn’t a lucky day for World No.5 Sara Errani as the fourth seed lost her second round match to veteran compatriot Flavia Pennetta 6-3, 6-1, becoming the first top-10 singles player to be knocked out of the US Open.

The 83rd-ranked Penneta wasn’t an ideal opponent for Errani as the 31-year-old had won three of the previous five meetings against Errani, reports Xinhua.

The match Thursday went into rhythm of Penneta from the very first game where Errani made too many unforced errors. Errani broke back in the second but Pennetta won four straight games to establish a 5-1 lead and took the first set 6-3.

Errani was unable to recover in the second set, dropping five straight games after 1-1 to lose the match.

“I don’t know. I think it was the pressure. Everything is difficult for me,” said Errani after the match Thursday. The World No.5 was seeded fourth after Russian Maria Sharapova’s withdrawal, reports Xinhua.

“I know all the players are expecting from me,” said Errani.

“I’m not the kind of player who can go there and make ace and winner and if the ball is going in I’m doing good. For me it is to go there and fight. If I feel that I’m not fighting good due to pressure, for not feeling good with myself doing that because I don’t want to go on the court,” said Errani about her play style.