Rogowska falls to Svitolina at Aus Open

Australian Olivia Rogowska has missed a golden opportunity to join Sam Stosur and Casey Dellacqua in the third round of the Australian Open, losing 6-4 7-5 to Elina Svitolina.

Bidding to make a maiden grand slam third round appearance, Rogowska was on track early but lost her way after an easy smash went long.

After breaking Svitolina in the first game of the match, Rogowska’s fateful point came while serving at deuce 4-3 up, when she was unable to send the bouncing ball into the court for a chance to serve for the set.

Rogowska said the “pretty frustrating” loss swung on that point.

“There was probably one rally which changed the whole match,” she said.

“I had a sitter on top of the net that I went for a bit too much,”

“I tried not to react when I missed it but then I got off the game plan, started playing a bit more erratic.”

“I dwelled on it too long today and it really hurt me.”

Svitolina capitalised on the mistake, breaking back and winning the next four games – taking the set 6-4.

The Australian’s powerful groundstrokes allowed her to dictate much of the play, but mistakes crept into her game while she dwelt on her mistake.

Svitolina, a 19-year-old who surged into the world’s top 50 in 2013, looked rampant early in the second set but Rogowska showed fighting spirit to break back twice against the run of play at 0-2 and 2-4 down.

With temperatures above 38 degrees from the start of play and climbing, the Ukrainian’s consistent pressure proved too much for the errant Rogowska.

“I started struggling a bit at the end of the match, a little queasy in the stomach and I could feel a bit crampy coming on,” she said.

“I’m happy I could match it up to a top 50 player at least.”

Rogowska produced more winners but also more unforced errors as she succumbed in the heat after 89 minutes, double-faulting to lose the match on the second match point.

Australia has failed to send three women to the third round at Melbourne Park since 2003.

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