This match is a first round match at Linz in Austria. The tournament is a Tier II played on an indoor hardcourt. The match is between Mary Pierce and Ai Sugiyama. Sugiyama leads the H2H against Mary 6-5 but Mary won their last meeting in the San Diego final 2005 6-0 6-3.

Sugiyama currently leads 3-1 in the first set with Mary to serve

0-15
0-30
0-40 :doh:
15-40
30-40
Deuce
Ad Pierce
Game Pierce :clap:

Mary recovers from 0-40 down to win five consecutive points to hold serve.

Ai still has the break of serve at 3-2 though :(

Go Mary!!

Sugiyama to serve

0-15
0-30
15-30
15-40
30-40
Game Pierce

Mary breaks back :yahoo:

3-3 in the first set.

Go Mary!!

Damn Sugi breaks back immediately after Pierce broke.

Sugi leads 4-3 with the break in the first set.

Wow, I wouldn't have expected Ai to lead their head to head! :huh:

It'd be nice for Mary to get some form back towards the end of this year then have a real good year next year.

Sugi to serve

0-15
0-30
15-30
15-40 :o
30-40
Deuce :angry:
Ad Sugiyama
Game Sugiyama

:( Please win Mary

Mary to serve

15-0
15-15
30-15
40-15
Game Pierce

Mary holds serve but it will be Sugiyama who will serve for the first set at 5-4 :(

Sugi to serve for the first set

0-15
0-30 :)
15-30
15-40 :ok:
30-40 - PLEASE MARY!!
Game Pierce!! :clap:

Yes! Mary breaks back when Sugi is serving for the first set and we're at 5-5. Come on Mary. Just hold your damn serve!!

Cmon Mary :yahoo: :yahoo: This is agreat draw, dont bodge it up on Sugiyama :angry:

Mary to serve

0-15
0-30
15-30
30-30 :D
30-40 :doh:
Game Sugiyama

Damn Sugi breaks again and will serve for the first set at 6-5.

Yes! Mary breaks Sugi again when Ai is serving for the first set and we are in a first set tiebreaker!!

I expect to see a lot of mini breaks here then :P

Tiebreak - Mary to serve

1-0 Sugiyama - Sugi gets the minibreak :angry:
1-1 - Mary gets the minibreak back :D
2-1 Pierce - Mary gets the minibreak :)
3-1 Pierce!! :clap:
3-2 Pierce - Sugi gets the minibreak back :doh:
4-2 Pierce - Mary gains the minibreak again :D
4-3 Pierce - Sugi holds serve
5-3 Pierce - Mary holds serve and still has the minibreak :ok:
6-3 Pierce - 3 Set Points
First set Mary!!

:yahoo:

Mary wins the first set in a tiebreak (7-3)! Sugi served for the first set twice at 5-4 and 6-5 but Mary came back. Yes!!

Go Mary good luck.

I have to go now cya everybody!!

Bye Verdasco!

Cheers for the updates! :D

Mary breaks back :D Its now 7-6 3-4 Mary to serve

And she breaks :o One game away now---cmon gal :wub:

Pierce wins 7-6 7-6 :D

Pretty good match, a bit hit and miss for Mary but her power eventually got her through against Sugiyama who's so consistent from the back. Pierce looked a lot better than she has done for much of this year. Its her last tourny of the year so she should just be here, relax herself and just go for it, and every match is a bonus. Good win today Mary :D

Mary did play well, her backhand was amazing at times, lots of winners from that side. She has a real shot at progressing as she faces Zvonereva next who she has never lost to! :D

Mary Pierce def. Ai Sugiyama 76(3) 7-6(5) :)

Let's hope Mary can go all the way and win the Linz title as she did in 1999. That will give her confidence for 2007 and if she stays injury free, she can be in the Top 5 again.

Next up for Mary is Vera Zvonareva from Russia who is ranked 26 and is 22 years of age. Mary leads the H2H against Vera 2-0 having won their last meeting 76(2) 75 at the French Open third round 2005. Mary went on to reach he final :kiss2:

However I have terrible news. Mary's ranking will fall to about 80ish by the end of the year because of the points she got from reaching the final of the WTA Tour Championships in 2005. Mary will lose 340 points so her ranking (currently 29) will fall to about 80 :yikes:

That means Mary has to start all over again and do another one of her comebacks :ok:

That is bad news. :( Mary can come back though I feel. Good result Mary! :clap:

Mary will not play tennis for 6 months as she injured her left knee in her match against Vera Zvonareva. Mary was leading 6-4 6-5 when she collapsed in pain clutching her left knee.

So that means Mary will be out until late April 2007. That means Mary will return around the claycourt season so we should see her play at Roland Garros.

To watch what happened click on the link below

http://youtube.com/watch?v=LszGCqa1rXw