Tennis: Nervous service rebounds on comeback hopeful

Jelena Dokic's wildcard comeback lasted almost two hours before it ended in despair - defeat in three sets by world No 95 Julia Schruff.

The first-round clash on stadium court yesterday heralded the second day of the ASB Classic but all too quickly developed into a personal struggle as Dokic battled the double-fault demons.

A double fault at 40-15 while she served for the first game was the first of many.

By the time she had lost 7-5, 6-7 (3-7), 1-6 to the 23-year-old German, Dokic had managed an incredible 28 double faults.

"Considering how many double faults I managed and how I played, I should have won the match," said Dokic. "That is the most [double faults] I have ever served - I'm getting close to Anna Kournikova [who once served a record of around 34 in a match at the Australian Open]."

The double faults were frustrating, especially as they were mixed in with eight aces.

At one point in the second set, when the scores were locked 4-4, Dokic, at deuce, served a double fault, got back to deuce, served another double fault before sending down two aces to eventually take a 5-4 lead.

She gave that up in the next game but then had another mixture of double faults and aces before taking a 6-5 lead. That set then went to a tiebreaker which Schruff won.

"I was in a position to win the match but my serve let me down," said Dokic who appeared more than a little distressed on leaving the court.

"I was very nervous, very tight and in the end I paid the price for not having played many matches."

She displayed flashes of the brilliant form which took her close to the top. Powerful ground strokes off both hands and some big cross-court winners underlined her undoubted talent.

After taking time to compose herself and then face the gathered media, Dokic admitted she had enjoyed the walk back on court after being off the WTA circuit since last May.

"It was good to get the feel of it again. My loss was because of the nerves and my inconsistent serve - not because of poor technique. I've been serving well in practice."

She admitted not having a coach was not helping but that was certainly not the reason for her loss.

"I need someone very positive to work with me," said Dokic. "But, I have enjoyed myself. I have had fun."

She would like to come back next year.

Schruff, on her first visit to the ASB Tennis Centre, fully deserved her win.

She took the second-set tiebreak easily and raced through the third set in just 19 minutes to close it out.

"I think I can play much better. I will have to improve a lot in my next match, especially on my return."