Florencia Labat vs. Kathy Rinaldi Stunkel
Flushing Meadow: US Open
1st round women's singles
August 27, 1996

I show up just as Florencia earns a service break to claim the first set 6-2. American veteran Rinaldi Stunkel has support from the crowd, but she quickly gets down 3-1 in the second. The fifth game of the set is a long one, with KRS reduced to lofting moonballs. The strategy sort of works and Kathy gets into a good rhythm with her groundstrokes. She finally converts her fourth break point of the game and gets back to 3-2. But Labat has been red hot of late and her confidence is evident. She just keeps whacking strong forehands and Rinaldi Stunkel can't keep up. Flo breaks, holds, and breaks again to win the match -- 6-2, 6-2. She says thanks to the umpire, signs autographs for the handful of kids who request them, and then says "thank you very much" to a fan (not me) who congratulates her on the win.

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