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Petkovic shifts up a gear

7 January 2011, by Brisbane International Tennis

Jarmila Groth, the remaining Australian player in the women’s singles draw, has fallen in straight sets to in-form German Andrea Petkovic.

Petkovic advanced to the final four in just over 80 minutes with a 6-3 6-4 win over Groth who knocked out top seed Sam Stosur in the second round.

With rain falling outside Pat Rafter Arena, the cool conditions caused problems for both players. But for Groth, her game plan simply wasn’t working the way she wanted it to.

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“In parts I got really frustrated with myself because the idea I had in my head I couldn’t put in on court and it was pretty hard.”

Due to persistent rain throughout the day, both players had limited opportunities to prepare for their quarterfinal stoush.

While Groth struggled to execute, Petkovic’s game got better as the match wore on. “Actually I’m a diesel, because I always take a while before I get going,” Petkovic said after the match.

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“She started unbelievable … but I stayed calm, I knew my chances would come.”

This is the second year in a row that Petkovic has made it to the semifinals in Brisbane. In 2010 she was knocked out by eventual champion Kim Clijsters.

One year on, and Petkovic says she’s an improved player, which she puts down to improved movement, something the 180 cm German worked on during the off season with her fitness coach, Argentine Juan Bernado Caberol.

And with improved movement has come greater confidence. “I think I’m in the right form, I feel like I have the chances and I have the game to win another title, especially here I feel very comfortable.”

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But standing in Petkovic’s way is fourth seed Marion Bartoli – the highest ranked remaining seed in the draw. The pair will meet in the first match of Friday’s night session at Pat Rafter Arena.

In preparation, Petkovic and her coach watched Bartoli’s straight sets win over Barbora Zahlavova Strycova on Thursday.

“Marion, she’s an unpredictable player, if she has a good day it’s tough to get into the match. But when I serve as well as [I did] today it’s going to be tough for her to get into the match … It’s going to be a good match I think.”

Tickets are still available for Brisbane International 2011 from Ticketek.