Westlake's Fernanda Contreras' pro tennis homecoming is a short one after ATX Open losses
In the best — and longest — match of the ATX Open's first round, Taylor Townsend outlasted former Westlake High School standout Fernanda Contreras on Tuesday in front of a standing room only crowd on Westwood Country Club's grandstand court.
Contreras, who won a pair of UIL state tennis championships during her Westlake days, got off to a fast start and won the opening set after breaking Townsend’s serve twice.
Townsend, much to the delight of her soon-to-be 3-year-old son Adyn, played her way back into the match by winning a marathon game early in the second set and advanced with a 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 win that took 2 hours, 41 minutes.
Sitting courtside, Adyn could be heard cheering “go Mommy” throughout the second set.
Townsend took the lead early in the second set by converting on a fourth break chance after Contreras fought to save three. A perfect topspin lob gave Townsend a 2-1 lead and she went on to take the set 6-2.
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“That was a really, really long game on my serve,” Contreras said. “I think Taylor raised her level. ... She’s a great competitor. I tried to stay as solid as possible, but unfortunately, tennis is two-out-of-three (sets). I was close, but next time I’m going to have to work harder.”
Said Townsend: “I started getting my footing in the return game and whenever you have long games like that, it was a pivotal moment for me to break because it allowed me to relax a bit and really be free on my service games after that.”
Contreras had a chance for an early break in the deciding set. She earned two break chances while leading 2-1, but Townsend erased both and then delivered back-to-back winners to hold serve and stay even in the set.
Townsend surged ahead with Contreras serving at 3-3. At 30-30, Contreras missed a high volley and Townsend immediately took control by executing a pinpoint drop shot on break point to grab a 4-3 lead.
“I think I relaxed,” Townsend said of her late push. “I didn’t relax as much as I did in the second set, but I relaxed enough to find my game and remember what was working for me to win the second set. I forgot about the first set, and that’s important too.”
Townsend then saved one break point en route to a 5-3 lead and clinched the match with one final winner off her powerful backhand.
Townsend advances to face eighth-seeded Yue Yuan, who defeated Arina Rodionova 3-6, 6-3, 6-1, on Monday. She said the long match should help her moving forward.
“I’m really glad that it went this way,” Townsend said. “Obviously no one wants to play 2 hours and 45 minutes, but if that’s what it takes to get the job done, that’s what it takes. I think it gave me a lot of confidence going into the next round to go the distance to test my body, test my mind.”
She advances to face eighth-seeded Yue Yuan, who defeated Arina Rodionova 3-6, 6-3, 6-1, on Monday.
For Contreras, who, according to Westlake officials is the only girls tennis player to reach the pro tour, the loss caps a short but memorable week at her first WTA 250 event in her hometown. She and Danielle Collins dropped a first-round doubles match Monday against Olivia Gadecki and Olivia Nicholls.
As a pro, Contreras has been ranked as high as 99th in doubles and 139th in singles. Tuesday looked like she might score one of the biggest wins of her singles career.
“Obviously you always wish you can win matches, but winning is out of your control,” Contreras said. “What’s in your control is your effort, your attitude, and how you put yourself out on the court. I think I did a good job on those three aspects, so I’m happy with my performance. I’m bummed about the loss, but you have to refocus, regroup and reset for the next tournament.”
While she lamented the chances that got away — she converted just 2 of 8 opportunities to break Townsend’s serve — she won’t soon forget the experience of playing in front of a large, friendly, hometown crowd.
“It was pretty awesome,” Contreras said. “I loved it. It kind of reminded me of when I played at Westlake. I could see people sitting on the grass. That was a great feeling. I had my family there, friends, even some of my teachers were there — Go Chaps! — so it was cool that they came out to support me. I really appreciate that.”
ATX Open
Through Sunday, Westwood Country Club
First round: Singles — A. Sevastova def. J. Riera 6-4, 6-3; A. KaLinina def. S. Bejlek 6-3, 6-2; T. Townsend def. F. Contreras 3-6, 6-2, 6-3; E. Arango def. A. Parks 6-2, 6-3; S. Vickery def. R. Marino 6-2, 6-4; X. Wang def. N. Podoroska 7-5, 4-6; K. Rakhimova def. Y. Wickmayer 6-3, 6-7, 7-6; K. Volynets def. R. Zarazua 6-4, 7-6; S. Stephens def. T. Martincova 6-4, 6-0; D. Semenistaja def. V. Jimenez Kasintseva 6-7, 6-2, 6-4; C. Osorio def. A. Cornet 6-3, 6-2; A. SchmiedLova def. P. Stearns 6-2, 4-6, 7-5
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Former Westlake tennis star Fernanda Contreras loses at ATX Open
