Volynets' 62 return points sink Birrell in Wuhan: 7-6, 6-7, 3-6

62 return points. That is what Katie Volynets took off the Kimberly Birrell serve in Wuhan, against the 43 Birrell dug out on the other side. A nineteen-point gap on return decided a Round-of-64 tie that Birrell led after set one and still lost 7-6, 6-7, 3-6.

Birrell started on top. She won 28 of her 45 service points in the opener, traded three breaks with Volynets and edged the tiebreak to take it 7-6. The margins were thin everywhere: she saved 6 of 9 break points, Volynets just 1 of 4, and four double faults from Birrell kept the door open.

Volynets levelled the same way. Set two went to another tiebreak, 7-6, even though Birrell landed three aces and saved 7 of 9 break points in it. Then the third set flipped entirely: Birrell won only 11 service points, lost serve three times and saved 1 of 4 break points. Volynets closed it 6-3 without needing another tiebreak.

Volynets is the decisive actor here, and not because of her serve. She put 76 percent of first serves in play, committed four double faults in the whole match against Birrell's eight, faced only nine break points on her own delivery and converted eight chances on Birrell's. Birrell, by contrast, faced 22 break points and saved 14 — heroic defence that only delayed the outcome. She out-aced Volynets 5-1 and won more service points overall, 67 to 56, yet finished with 110 total points to 118.

The serve kept Birrell alive. The return won Volynets the match.