Belinda Bencic edges Andrea Petkovic in US Open three setter

Belinda Bencic celebrates a key point during her first round match with Andrea Petkovic at the US Open. 

Belinda Bencic played through the motions to be victorious at the US Open. Andrea Petkovic gave it her best shot and had a chance to continue, but the Swiss star sped up the pace late with a 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 win on Court 7 at the Billy Jean King National Tennis Center. It gave Bencic her fifth win against Petkovic, who announced her retirement from the sport.

It marked the sixth meeting for the two and the first in New York since 2016, when Bencic won her second match against Petkovic. Having been off course from one another for four years, rekindling their rivalry in their first round meant a heavy battle. Both have big right forehands and can run for the shots, but Bencic’s youth plays an advantage against the 34-year-old. The German had a short stint leading up to the slam, while Bencic played it smart and went deep in Toronto. Despite her quarterfinal loss, she took time off to regroup and be on point for another run at a maiden slam.

She opened the match with a break to love of Petkovic and added a serve to love on top of that. Having won the first eight points, Bencic handed the German her first, with a return error in the third. It opened the door for Petkovic to play the rest of her service and clinch the win that brought heavy applause from the stands. Despite the loss of absolute control of the pace, Bencic moved forward into the fourth game on serve, dealing with the wind that picked up on the court. It led to a double fault and a chance on deuce for the 34-year-old.

Bencic committed a second one on account of the wind but adjusted to keep the rally in between the lines. After two breaks, the Swiss star kept her strategy in check, taking a 3-1 lead. Petkovic tallied another hold of serve in the fifth, keeping in touch with the 13th seed. By the seventh game, Bencic kept it to three and served for the set drawing errors from the German. Reaching two set points, the 25-year-old got one more error out of Petkovic to take the first in 30 minutes.

Petkovic had a better output on first serves, but winning points from it was all on Bencic, who kept the errors low at six and outscored her opponent 28-16. The 34-year-old wanted to turn things around in the second set and started strong with a hold in the first. Bencic followed suit but watched as the German intensified her shots across the court, finding the marks that she wanted. After blanking the 13th seed for the lead in the third, Petkovic broke her, gaining an opportunity due to errors.

Petkovic consolidated the effort with another service to love, reaching 4-1 in the set. Bencic knew she couldn’t let a fourth game get away from her and served up balls away from Petkovic, bringing the margin down to two. The seventh game had Bencic pushing for a break of the German, but she wasn’t having any of it. She reached a game point, but couldn’t put it away, sending them to a long fight for the win.

The two played six breaks of deuce with Petkovic saving three of them. It wasn’t until Bencic gained another AD point, that it would be the one to put her a game down and a chance to level on serve. The 13th seed accomplished her task, getting to four-all holding Petkovic back. She responded in the shape of a serve to love, earning a shot at taking the set from Bencic. The German veteran gained two breakpoints but watched the Swiss level up and reach a game point.

A forehand error from the 13th seed got Petkovic to deuce, who then scored a winner for the AD point. It was there that Bencic double-faulted and gifted the win to Petkovic, opening the door for a potential upset in the deciding set. It was the third double that Bencic produced in the set and seventh overall causing her to struggle with her accuracy and low amount of winners.

Petkovic opened scoring in the third, holding Bencic to a point while earning cheers from her supporters in the stands. Bencic responded in the second with hard hits for the game, but she still felt the pressure from the 34-year-old. The 13th seed suffered a bad ending to the third when she got on the board and was ready to make a fight to deuce. Petkovic’s return on game point hit the net and landed on Bencic’s side, giving her the 2-1 lead.

The Swiss held serve in the fourth, but gaining any leverage against her opponent was not in sight. The two held service through four games as they entered the business end of the match, and Petkovic was still in control of the pace. Bencic went big in the ninth, forcing errors on her opponent to earn the break. With a shot to end the day with her rival, the 13th seed served for the match and achieved three match points.

An ace brought it all to a conclusion for the Swiss, who got the win in 2 hours and 10 minutes. Knowing that this was her last time fighting to the bitter end, the players embraced at the net for a time before the German waved to the entire court. Bencic will await Sorana Cirstea in the second-round, but would not forget the fight her longtime rival gave her.

Garbine Muguruza performs well against Clara Tauson at the US Open

Garbine Muguruza celebrates improvements to her game at the US Open. 

Garbine Muguruza was happy at the way she played her best at the US Open Tuesday. The Spaniard had some challenges from Clara Tauson but remained the stronger player on the court, winning 6-3, 7-6(5) on Court 5 at the Billy Jean King National Tennis Center. It marked the second major win this season for the ninth-seeded Spaniard and one that she truly needed to make a stand in the tournament.

The Spaniard came into the final slam with a heavy slump, losing early at Wimbledon, Toronto, and Cincinnati. With early exits seven times in nine appearances, it leaves Tauson a chance to reach the second round in consecutive years. The teenage Dane worked three matches in Concord and two in Cleveland, giving her a chance to push through in New York. Facing Muguruza in the first round could be intimidating, but getting on the right track might bring an upset on the horizon.

The Spaniard chose to serve first and delivered a big statement to Tauson, moving well to score easy points. Tauson had a chance to close and level up easy, but unforced errors forced the game to deuce. She battled back the problems, finding her rhythm back to hold her third AD point. The tension in her racket was becoming an obvious problem for the Dane as she racked up the errors on Muguruza, who wanted to get back into leading. Needing to force deuce, the 28-year-old rallied to hold off Clauson and lead 2-1.

Clauson battled her racket, which was the cause of 12 errors, but two double faults in the fourth made it worse, handing Muguruza the break. The ninth seed easily consolidated on serve for a 4-1 grip of the set, giving her a much-needed boost of confidence. Tauson worked hard to get back into action, battling Muguruza on serve in the sixth. The Spaniard took her chances on deuce, but after a breakpoint failed, the Dane fought two more AD point opportunities to cap one down.

Having invested so much energy into the previous game, Muguruza fired off a shutout in the seventh, putting Tauson under pressure. The teenager focused on the forehand and avoided another deuce draw with Muguruza to hold again. Finding her core tennis game, Muguruza took care of business in the ninth, holding Tauson to a point to finish the set in 46 minutes.

The ninth seed had a strong offense on both serves that drew errors from the Danish teen. Tauson racked up 23 errors that took away from the nine winners she managed to score. Seeing the Spaniard on top of her game, the 19-year-old needed more to push the match deep.

She won the first game on serve in the second set and went hunting for the break in the next game, leveling with Muguruza on the score. They went to deuce, with Muguruza making Tauson pay with an easy path to hold serve. Nothing was simple about the third game as the Dane fell behind, saving two breakpoints for deuce. After three breaks and eight minutes elapsed, Tauson found the last point easy to put away before suddenly calling for the trainer.

Her right knee caused her discomfort, and after the consultation, she received a medical timeout. After being taped up for three minutes, play resumed with Muguruza serving for a shot to tie. The Spaniard almost had a serve to love, but two points from Tauson made their mark. A third was denied by the ninth seed, who leveled on a winner and went hunting for more. Muguruza dug in when she opened the fifth, drawing errors from Tauson. It led to the first break of the set, but Tauson broke right back in the sixth to tie the score. The Dane backed up the break, adding pressure to Muguruza, who loosened up and allowed her opponent too much comfort on the court.

The Spaniard dug in on serve to bring the score to four-all, but Tauson was playing better at the business end of the set. She went to deuce in the ninth, playing every point and staying right with the returns. On rally for the last point, Tauson stayed with the pace until she watched Muguruza hit wide, clinching her a 5-4 lead and a heavy momentum.

The 19-year-old went into the tenth game with three set points, only to see Muguruza smash a line drive winner. The Spaniard drew an error from her second serve and another to save every set point. On deuce, Muguruza forced another error out of Tauson but blew the AD point with a shot into the net. She kept up the strategy to draw errors until one from the Dane landed long to give her a five-all score.

Despite lost opportunities, Tauson’s strengths were not all gone as she proved her worth in the 11th, holding Muguruza back on serve. The Spaniard aced her way to a shutout, forcing a tiebreak with Tauson, who didn’t have as much experience as her seasoned opponent. Instead of being in control, Tauson had the double minibreak for a 3-0 run against Muguruza. The ninth seed got three points on the board but still trailed a minibreak of the Dane.

She gained one to tie at four-all on a wide return from the teen but lost her chance to lead on a long ball from the baseline. She got to five-all on a dramatic rally that ended with Tauson’s error. Muguruza blasted an ace for match point and gained the win on an error into the net to stay in the tournament after 1 hour and 39 minutes.

Qinwen Zheng out plays Jelena Ostapenko in three sets at US Open

Qinwen Zheng celebrates a point during her US Open debut against Jelena Ostapenko 

Qinwen Zheng brought the aces that took down the competition at the US Open Tuesday. The 19-year-old had a full-on consistent game from start to finish against Jelena Ostapenko, who couldn’t keep up in a 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 score on Court 4 at the Billy Jean King National Tennis Center. Zheng scored 21 aces in total, damaging the 16th seed to fall out in the first round.

It was Ostapenko’s first match back in New York since 2019, where she made it to the third round three years in a row. Facing the Chinese star was a new test for the 25-year-old, who had a less than expected run in Toronto and Cincinnati. Zheng made it further in Canada than the Latvian, defeating Ons Jabeur and Bianca Andreescu. Skipping the Western & Southern Open gave the teenager a chance to rest and prep for the final slam of the year. With the hope of making it four in a row, Ostapenko had to be in good shape to stop Zheng in her Open debut.

Zheng served to start the match but double-faulted after winning the first two points. Ostapenko was given a chance when Zheng’s second serve faltered, but the teen held the game to a break. The Latvian’s offense stumbled through the second, giving the Chinese star a breakpoint win. The 16th seed took her chance to break back in the third and went for a push in the fourth leading 40-0 on serve. Zheng got a point across, but Ostapenko assured herself to even the score.

Zheng held her end in the fifth, making it a battle for the 25-year-old to keep up. Ostapenko didn’t have the consistency to keep up with the teen’s pace and faltered to giving up a break. With a two-game buffer, Zheng consolidated with a precise attack on her sixth and seventh ace. Down 2-5, the 16th seed served to extend the set, keeping the teen behind on the score to hold serve. Zheng stayed on course and frustrated Ostapenko before capping a 5-3 break.

On serve for the set, the 19-year-old gained a 40-0 run and watched every set point opportunity go aside. Despite her opponent’s attempts at killing more, the Chinese teen found a way to lock one down after the first break, closing out the first in 36 minutes. Her first serve was a powerful workhorse on the court, notching 83 percent of points on the first serve and 14 winners. Keeping the unforced errors down was an accomplishment, but ten aces against the 16th seed said a lot about the offense she brought to the court.

Ostapenko served to begin the second and fought Zheng, who refused to give her any room to maneuver. They played two breaks, but a key winner for Ostapenko put her on the right foot in her moment to turn the match around. Zheng remained on course in the second, holding serve and patience wrapped up together. When she came into service in the fourth, Ostapenko found a way to make her opponent crack and suffer a break.

Gaining a lead for the first time in the match, the 25-year-old wanted more out of her offense, but fell behind on serve in the fifth. The Latvian rallied back only to be denied game point and forced to deuce. Zheng took her shot to break and successfully put a game between herself and the 16th seed. Backing up the break made it three-all for Zheng, but the seventh was just another battle for control, which Ostapenko wanted to keep.

They went to deuce for the fifth time in the match, where the 16th seed saved breakpoint and held to stay out front. Gaining the break on Zheng made it 5-3 for Ostapenko, who served to force the two into a decider. Finding it deep inside her, the 25-year-old pulled off a serve to love, ending the second set in 41 minutes.

Improvements were the key to her going three with Zheng, winning 14 of 18 points from the first serve and limiting the errors to five. Zheng managed just half the number of aces in the set and double the faults that made it anyone’s victory going into the third. Ostapenko picked up right where she left off in the second and went for a break to love on Zheng to get the third set rolling. The 16th seed consolidated the serve in the second, but the Chinese teen pulled off the same feat to even the score through four.

Ostapenko broke back again in the fifth, but Zheng notched the double break to sit at three-all. It was a neck-and-neck race to the finish line, with each player holding serve through the next three games. With Zheng gaining the advantage of serving out the ninth, Ostapenko was under pressure to keep herself in check.

She erred on both sides of the service, but more from the forehand. Zheng had match point, but let it slip away on a forced error. She was awarded the second when Ostapenko erred on the forehand, bringing her down in 1 hour and 34 minutes.

Madison Keys pulls through to a straight sets win over Jelena Ostapenko

Madison Keys stayed positive during a challenging match to come through it at the Western & Southern Open Wednesday. The American remained positive against Jelena Ostapenko, who made it difficult but erred too much in a 6-4, 7-5 result on Stadium 3 at the Lindner Family Tennis Center.  

After a stunning win against Beatriz Haddad Maia, where she took the competition down, Ostapenko faced Keys for the fourth time. The American held the lead in their series despite dropping one due to injury at Eastbourne. In her opening round, she faced one breakpoint against Yulia Putintseva before coming out with a straight sets victory. While they never met on the hard courts, both had the skills to do work in Ohio. The 2019 champ looked to keep her path to another, while the Latvian wanted to surpass her third-round finish.

Keys jumped into a dominant pace through the first ten minutes of play, gaining a double break. On serve in the fourth, Keys mistimed some of her service shots, notching a double fault that brought up deuce. Ostapenko’s depth helped her get an error from Keys and make her way on the scoreboard. She consolidated the break with a hold in the fifth, sitting a game down from overcoming the deficit.

The American held the sixth to regain a two-game buffer on the 16th seed, who struggled to keep the errors down. She let Keys into her service but found a way to draw back errors from her opponent and contain the serve. The two moved forward, holding serves on the other, but once Keys had the lead at 5-4, she put all the focus on serving out the set. The American rallied to three set points, getting the first down in 40 minutes with a long return coming back her way from Ostapenko.

The second set saw Ostapenko take charge of her service, which she wanted more out of. Gaining breakpoint chances didn’t happen during two of Keys' service games, as the Latvian hit too hard and too long. She still led the American after five, using her two-handed forehand to get through deuce and deny Keys the breaks. After six holds of serve, the fight was on for Keys to convert a break against Ostapenko as they closed into the business end of the set.

She gained one at 40-30, but the Latvian struck back to force deuce. The fight was on as they went five breaks, with the American finding a way to strike down the breakpoint. On her fifth attempt, the 27-year-old found a piece of the court empty and landed a winner to take the lead away. It was a boost for Keys, who went into service in the eighth and doused Ostapenko to love.

The pressure was on the 16th seed to hold serve, but she smoothly took care of business to sit a game down, hoping to force the set further. She took advantage of the tense situation on the court and edged on the first break of deuce to level the score. With little left of the second set to play, the 11th game became a moment for either player to lead. Keys came out with a necessary break, earning her a second chance at the match.

Keys broke ahead from a 30-all situation on an error from Ostapenko, hitting long of the baseline. With two match points in hand, she nailed an ace with style to move into the third round after 1 hour and 35 minutes.

Elena Rybakina flows through Garbine Muguruza at WS Open

Elena Rybakina swings big during her second round match against Garbine Muguruza at the Western & Southern Open. 

Elena Rybakina nearly swept her way clear to the third round at the Western & Southern Open Wednesday. The reigning Wimbledon champion took down Garbine Muguruza in spectacular fashion, winning 6-3, 6-1 on Court 4 at the Lindner Family Tennis Center. The 28-year-old Spaniard didn’t have her best against the youngster, committing five double faults and numerous errors from the second serve.

It was the battle of the Wimbledon champions, where one was at her best while the other struggled for consistency. In Toronto, the Spaniard had a good first round but flopped against Belinda Bencic. The Kazak put in time in each tournament since the hard court season returned but didn’t go deep into any. With less than two weeks before the final slam, she and Muguruza wanted to put their best into play and keep it high.

Rybakina got the competition underway with a blast of right-handers that tore through the eighth seed. Eyeing her chance to break ahead, the 23-year-old drew the errors from Muguruza to get the break. The Kazak laid out a serve to love that woke up the Spaniard to get her game underway. Cheers from the crowd went the way of Muguruza, who had to work hard defending against Rybakina’s forehand returns. Two AD points were the effort made from the eighth seed to get on the board, but the dominant offense from her adversary only widened the gap.

With a 4-1 hold on Muguruza, Rybakina put the pressure on more, bringing out a double fault that turned the tables. Rybakina threatened with a breakpoint, and though she was pushed to deuce, the Kazak assured the break in the sixth. Muguruza broke back for her second of the set, hoping she could tie another win along with it. Reeling errors out of Rybakina helped her build confidence in her two-handed swing, but the 23-year-old had the balls back in hand.

Serving for the first set, Rybakina timed her shots, drawing errors from Muguruza that gave her three set points. She put it away on a crosscourt ace for the serve to love and the set in 37 minutes.

Muguruza tried to better herself, digging into her serve while playing defense against Rybakina. The 23-year-old brought up a breakpoint chance but was denied the easy way to win. It set off a tug of war for the AD point, which by the third break went to Rybakina. The Spaniard broke back after putting intensity into her service, cutting the Kazak in response. She almost had her first lead of the match, until a mistake opened the door for the Wimbledon champ. After a three-break fight, Rybakina came out with the double break in hand.

Muguruza had another chance to break back, but the effort from Rybakina stunned the opposition. The 23-year-old fought from 15-40 to force deuce and hold serve, taking the wind out of the eighth seed. It was 4-1 for Rybakina, who scored the triple break and consolidated all that work with a hold for 5-1. Muguruza was on the edge of defeat, serving out the seventh with a pair of free points to start. Once the 23-year-old found her first point, she ran off with the win on a final double fault from Muguruza, ending a 1 hour and 14 minute day on the court.

Emma Raducanu rushes to win in straight sets over Victoria Azarenka

Emma Raducanu celebrates her second big win of the tournament facing Victoria Azarenka at the Western & Southern Open.

Emma Raducanu backed up her dominance at the Western & Southern Open to do it again Wednesday. Facing Victoria Azarenka was a near clean task for the British number one as she took down the two-time champion of the tournament 6-0, 6-4 on center court at the Lindner Family Tennis Center. It took her 62 minutes to make it into the third round, keeping her head up and focusing on the offense.

The two met for the first time in an inevitable second-round faceoff in Ohio. Though Azarenka still had to fight through Kaia Kanepi in three sets, she cleared the way to face the Brit, who slayed the queen of tennis out of Cincinnati. It was a necessary win for the Brit, who had not put up a lot of wins against high-ranked players this season. The tenth seed’s youth and speed left a chance for her to set the pace against another former world number one and dig deeper into the WTA 1000 event.

Earning a break from Azarenka was a positive start, drawing the errors from her opponent to get into her service. Though she fell behind on it in the second, Raducanu forced deuce and denied further breakpoints to consolidate a lead. The British teen racked up the double break, with help from Azarenka’s second double fault. Keeping her service short was still a task for the tenth seed, who was forced to deuce but prevented Azarenka from producing a breakpoint chance.

Raducanu let her know that, taking charge on the returns to earn the break to love and a 5-0 stand. In the sixth, the Brit scored consecutive points for three attempts at the set. Azarenka saved one with a return winner and earned the other on a long return from Raducanu. With one to go, the 19-year-old scored a sliced ace to take the first in 27 minutes. Unforced errors number 16 for Azarenka left her producing winners on the low end and Raducanu keeping up the pressure.

At the start of the second, the 19-year-old broke through her opponent’s gameplay, forcing deuce and  clinching the only AD point played. She backed up her response with a resounding serve to love in the second, notching her eighth win in a row. The 33-year-old’s performance was near the floor as her serve in the third was out of it. She handed Raducanu the break to love, indicating that she didn’t have it ready on the day.

Azarenka last scored a point in the first game, and after the Brit notched her ninth straight, she scored one. It was not a bright point as the tenth seed charged straight to a 4-0 run on serve. To avoid being double bageled, the 33-year-old dug deep to defend her side of the court and hold serve against the teen in the fifth. Raducanu notched herself one game from the match, but Azarenka’s win in her previous serve brought together another.

It was 5-2 and the chance for the Brit to close it out was under threat from the 33-year-old, who dictated the eighth game. Raducanu forced deuce, saving two breakpoints before getting her first match point on a long return from Azarenka. The attempt from the 19-year-old went long on a return shot, but after gaining a second chance on a smashing return, she got it done and dusted. Raducanu completed another solid victory when the return from Azarenka landed long of the baseline.  

Arianne Hartono dispatches Eugenie Bouchard at Van Open

Eugenie Bouchard showed signs that her game was alive, but her consistency was missing at the Odlum Brown Vancouver Open Tuesday. Arianne Hartono had her issues as well but came out the victor in a 6-2, 6-2 score on center court at the Hollyburn Country Club.

This was the first singles match for the Canadian since March 17, 2021, when she suffered a shoulder injury and struggled to get back into action. After coming short of readiness for the Citi Open, Bouchard committed to Vancouver and did well in doubles Monday. Though she hasn’t faced Hartono before, it was a perfect opponent to face in her journey to come back.

The Canadian brushed off the rust, going to deuce with Hartono before finding her way to holding serve. The Dutch player found her points in the second but faced a new gear in Bouchard. The 28-year-old blanked Hartono, only to watch her opponent level right back in the fourth. The 26-year-old consolidated with a break to love of Bouchard, in hopes that she could keep the superstar behind.

Errors from Bouchard’s returns helped get the Dutch player a two-game buffer, but in the seventh, the 28-year-old brought the defense to her service. A pair of double faults awarded Hartono a chance to break Bouchard, but the challenge was alive in the Canadian. She produced three AD points but converted none.

Once Hartono got her chance, she took the break on the fourth break, sitting pretty to serve for the match. The Dutch star served up a shutout to Bouchard, completing perfect first serve points run of the first in 30 minutes. Bouchard’s second serve didn’t come in to assist well and produced no breakpoints. With the right shoulder not at 100%, the Canadian would continue to struggle to get her shots in check.

It left Hartono to dictate onward, breaking her opponent to begin the second set. She backed up the early lead to make it 2-0 on Bouchard, but it wasn’t going the way of a shutout. Pulling it all together, the Canadian overcame losing the first two points on serve and won the next pair. Hartono erred late in the fourth, opening the door for Bouchard to fight for the breaks. Despite only getting one, she went three with the Dutch star before going down.

The 26-year-old added another break to her day against Bouchard, sitting three games ahead and the match in sight. Before she could do that, Bouchard etched a win for herself on errors from Hartono that included a double fault at the end. The Dutch star redeemed herself with a break back, setting up a chance to end her day on the court.

On serve for a spot in round two, Hartono fell behind in scoring, only to paint the lines for match point. A double fault forced deuce for Bouchard, who battled through two breaks until an easy smash went right into the net. On her third try, Hartono got it done with a line drive winner away from Bouchard to cap the victory in 1 hour and 10 minutes.

Sorana Cirstea upsets Belinda Bencic in three sets

Sorana Cirstea clenches her fist during a first-round match with Belinda Bencic at the Western & Southern Open. 

Sorana Cirstea fought through every point to achieve victory at the Western & Southern Open Tuesday. The Romanian never let her game fall hard and stayed on Belinda Bencic, who erred late in a 6-2, 6-7(3), 6-4 result on Porsche Court at the Lindner Family Tennis Center.  

The two last met during the hard quarantine days in Australia last year, where the Romanian edged the Swiss in straight sets. In a less restricted environment, the players sought a positive outlook to the tournament. Bencic posted three matches in Toronto before losing out to Beatriz Haddad Maia in a tough battle. Coming into Ohio, the 25-year-old was warmed up for further action that Cirstea had yet to log in. After Wimbledon, the 32-year-old right-hander played once in Prague but had yet dug in to the US Open Series. With two weeks before the slam, the Romanian required an upset to continue.

Both players opened the match, with Cirstea leading the way through five games. In the sixth, Bencic had trouble with her service, leaving the Romanian to power through for the break and a two-game lead. The 32-year-old backed up the break, taking a firm hold of the set and putting the 12th seed under pressure. The Swiss opened the eighth with two good points, but the next three went the way of Cirstea due to terrific ball placement. Bencic forced deuce with a return winner, but back-to-back errors sealed it up for the Romanian, who had a leg up after 35 minutes.

During the set break, Bencic received a time violation for not returning in time from the restroom. As play got underway in the second, the two played a long rally, with Cirstea earning the first point on serve. She lost the next three of four before saving a breakpoint from the Swiss. Bencic produced another to take the game only to be broke back. The Romanian backed up her response with a strong service game to lead 2-1 on the 12th seed.

The following five games were held by both players, closing in on the business end of the set. The ninth game was a contest as the lead would go to the winner of it. Bencic forced deuce against the Romanian, leading to a tug of war for the AD point. After four breaks, Cirstea managed to hold off the Swiss, giving her a chance to play for the match. The 32-year-old earned points from Bencic’s errors, but the Swiss turned it around with aggressive play, securing the hold of serve.

The 12th seed kept up the quality and broke Cirstea in the 11th, earning her a chance at taking the set away. It was a mix of good points and bad points for Bencic, who expected Cirstea to falter on two lobbed shots, but watched her succeed in returning. It put them into the tie-break, with the Romanian earning the first point. On the third point, Cirstea drew an error for the mini-break, but couldn’t keep up with the long pace Bencic wanted.

Errors started to creep in to the offense, giving Bencic freedom to dictate the remainder of the competition. Reaching three set points, the 12th seed earned her way to a deciding set, watching a crosscourt from Cirstea land wide of the baseline in what was a 72-minute onslaught. Both had similar stats, given how the set went evenly on holds of serve.

The third didn’t start that way as Cirstea broke Bencic and consolidated with the hold of serve. The Swiss star got on the board in the third, keeping within striking distance while sitting a break down. Cirstea kept her lead in check through the eighth game when it came time for Bencic to serve to survive. In the ninth the Romanian earned her first match point, but the 12th seed killed her chance, forcing deuce in response. The 25-year-old won the AD point and played the ball away from the body until Cirstea hit a return long.

The 32-year-old still had a shot to win the match on her terms, and after a double fault, she drew errors from Bencic and soon had a second match point. The Swiss pushed her opponent behind the baseline and delivered a shot away from her to force deuce. Cirstea played the next point reaching every return from the 12th seed to earn a third match point. The 32-year-old got it done and dusted on a low shot that didn’t come back across the court, ending 2 hours and 38 minute challenge.

Victoria Azarenka fights to win three setter against Kaia Kapepi

Victoria Azarenka celebrates a point during her match with Kaia Kanepi at the Western & Southern Open .

Victoria Azarenka brought the intensity to come through victorious at the Western & Southern Open Monday night. Having very little hard court time recently, the 32-year-old went three sets against Kaia Kanepi 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 on Grandstand Court at the Lindner Family Tennis Center.  

The two veterans met for the fourth time and first since 2009. The 32-year-old held the lead for all those years, preparing to rekindle their rivalry. The Estonian logged in several matches that led her to be the finalist at the Citi Open. Though she lost a chance for the title there, the 37-year-old proved she still had what it took to compete. Despite getting cut short in Toronto, Kanepi was back for her third main draw in Ohio, ready to face off with Azarenka.

The 32-year-old chose to receive and earned the break, watching the Estonian hit some balls long of the baseline. Kanepi broke back on unforced errors, holding Azarenka to a point in the second. She backed things up with a hold of serve, followed by the former world number one. Azarenka brought the heat to her game, launching an attack for the double break and held serve for a 4-2 lead, scoring four aces.

Kanepi made sure not to let another service game slip from her hands, securing the seventh to stay a break down. By the eighth, Azarenka was still ahead and fought to close out the set. She created some errors on the returns, losing her first set point attempt. She gained another two through five breaks of deuce, taking the first on a Kanepi double fault. It was a pleasing 43-minute battle for the 32-year-old, who came through with the aces and cleaned up her mistakes when they needed to be.

Azarenka had a hair more winners than Kanepi, but it came down to the errors which the Estonian committed more of. The 37-year-old knew improvements had to come, but Azarenka was first to act. She held to open the second set, breaking the Estonian for the early lead. Kanepi broke back, but Azarenka achieved the double for a 3-1 score. Kanepi broke back after double faults from the veteran and managed to level the score at three-all.

She took her first lead of the match, notching her third break over the former world number one, who notched her fifth double fault of the set. The Estonian backed it up for the second time in the set, sitting two games up after eight. Azarenka let a lot of games slip away, and on serve, made sure that she didn’t let another go that path. Holding Kanepi back, the 32-year-old hit well with the forehand, putting herself a game down.

It was on the Estonian to hold the score in her favor, and in the tenth game, Kanepi played tremendously. Running after the shots and dictating them with strength, the 37-year-old locked down the second in 48 minutes. Azarenka had the most errors of the set, but her double faults led to the most damage done.

The Estonian took charge in the decider, breaking the veteran with two in hand. The next three games went the way of the returner until a huge hold from Azarenka gave her the lead after five. A break for the 32-year-old came on a double fault from the Estonian just as the two-hour mark hit in the match. With the two-game buffer, Azarenka hit well with the cross courts, hitting for the body of Kanepi, resulting in a hold and the 5-2 score. To extend her time on the court with the 32-year-old

Kanepi succeeded in holding serve for the first time in the set, but the pressure was on Azarenka to keep it together and bring an end to the night. She put herself in a great spot, gaining three match points after pressuring her opponent throughout the ninth. Azarenka watched a return from Kanepi go wide to take the first round in 2 hours and 13 minutes.

“If you asked me the last time we played, I couldn’t have told you, but I remembered we practiced at the Australian Open so, I was kinda going off that,” said Azarenka after her match. “She’s an incredible player and proves time and time that she can bring some of the best level against top players. The match was really tight. I was just glad that I was able to turn it around in the third set and try to find a way.”

The two-time champion sets herself up for an interesting matchup, facing the winner between Emma Raducanu and Serena Williams on Wednesday.

 

Beatriz Haddad-Maia downs Belinda Bencic in three sets

Beatriz Haddad Maia yells out positively during her match with Belinda Bencic at the National Bank Open. 

Belinda Bencic was cut short in a hard way at the National Bank Open Friday night. Beatriz Haddad Maia made it known that her skills had improved greatly, beating the former Toronto champion in three sets 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 on center court at Sobeys Stadium. It was her first win against the Swiss star and another step closer to a WTA 1000 title in Canada.

The two played the first WTA match of the season, and it was there that the Swiss took down the Brazilian in straight sets. In the eight months since then, Haddad Maia has won three WTA titles in her short time on tour. Having won five matches against the top ten players that yesterday included Iga Swiatek, Haddad Maia stands out as a dangerous opponent.

Though it took her three hours, the 26-year-old denied Swiatek’s 50th match win this season, putting her on a course to even up with Bencic. The Swiss’s path was surprising, taking down Williams and Muguruza with ease. Facing the left-handed hitter would prove a challenge for the 12th seed as well as making sure she could face the adversity that Haddad Maia now possessed.

Both had terrific starts to their service games, holding the other to just a point. In the third, Haddad Maia tried to go for the early break only to see Bencic defend well. When she leveled the score, her offense took care of business to hold back the threats from Haddad Maia. Bencic held the fifth and went for her moment to break in the sixth, playing deep return shots against the Brazilian. With the lead in hand, the 12th seed served to back up the break, drawing errors to sit up 5-2.

Bencic easily finished the opening set in 33 minutes, breaking Haddad Maia to love. She won 70 percent of points from the first serve and outscored the Brazilian 28-16 in the set. Knowing that her offense needed an increased output, Haddad Maia had the chance to make good of the remaining match.

The second set saw the Brazilian and Swiss hold their opening serves, but a break for the 26-year-old turned the tide that was on display. She backed it up for a 3-1 lead before Bencic found her way back to controlling her service. After six, Haddad Maia enjoyed having the break advantage on the 12th seed, giving her a chance at making it a fight to the end.

After eight, Haddad Maia continued to hold Bencic back, earning her chance to force a deciding set. The 12th seed felt the pressure, double-faulting to bring the score to deuce. Another double fault brought up set point for the Brazilian, who watched as a long return from Bencic clinched her the second in 46 minutes. The 26-year-old improved her first serve output, matching Bencic’s 73 percent scoring. The difference maker was the 17 unforced errors the Swiss committed, blaming the crowd.

She opened the decider with a two-game streak before being annoyed in the third when she told them to “shut up.” Expressing her complaints to the umpire during the sit-down didn’t bring changes, other than the score when Haddad Maia broke in the fourth. The Brazilian backed up the break to lead Bencic into the midsection of the third.

The Swiss found a way through her service, aiming for the body and waiting for the drives out of Haddad Maia’s reach. With the momentum back to level terms, the 26-year-old defended her service, battling Bencic where they went three breaks. After saving two breakpoints, Haddad Maia secured the seventh game. A huge break of Bencic put her up 5-3, needing the nerves to stay in check as she served for a place in the semifinal.

Forcing mistakes from Bencic was the order for Haddad Maia, who reached two match points. She lost one after a nine-shot rally, watching the ball go wide of the tramlines. Bencic forced deuce on a 16-shot rally that ended with her crunching a 26th winner. Unfortunately for the 12th seed, a long return brought the Brazilian a third match point, which she clinched with an ace ending a 2-hour 11-minute match.

Belinda Bencic manhandles Garbine Muguruza in straight sets

Belinda Bencic feeling positive during her round of 16 match with Garbine Muguruza at the National Bank Open. 

Belinda Bencic didn’t expect to have another easy night on center court at the National Bank Open Thursday night. The 12th seed kept her game in check, defeating Garbine Muguruza 6-1, 6-3 at Sobeys Stadium in Toronto. The 25-year-old was perfect on breakpoints and won 84 percent of points from the first serve.

Both players pulled off big wins yesterday, with the Spaniard shaking off all the rust in her win over the tough Kaia Kanepi in straight sets. The Swiss star repeated 2015 with her upset of Serena Williams in straight sets, disappointing the crowd. Meeting for the first time in four years makes this matchup a huge deal for both. Both won against the other on hard courts, and in serious moments of the tournaments. Despite the eighth seed having just one match under her belt recently, her experience against the resurgent Swiss star was enough to make it a tight battle.

Bencic served up shots to Muguruza, who struggled to prep for the forehands, failing to get into the game. She suffered a break in the second as the 12th seed brought in her backhanded attack that bested the Spaniard for a 2-0 lead. Back on serve in the third, Bencic opened the door for Muguruza, notching double faults but getting the score to deuce. Despite making a third, she somehow held the game to take another step ahead.

Tremendous focus on the returns handed the Swiss star a commanding 4-0 run on Muguruza, who struggled to find her niche. Bencic marched on but recorded her fourth double fault at 40-0. She put it behind her fast and closed out the fifth game, continuing her dominance. With one chance left to avoid the shutout, Muguruza dug in on serve and pressed the forehand to secure the service.

Bencic let nothing bother her on the court and, in the seventh, rushed to victory, ending the set in 27 minutes. Despite four double faults, the 12th seed outscored Muguruza 28-13, with ten winners and 93 percent points won on the first serve. The 28-year-old knew it was time to get her act together and be on the right side of the scoreboard. The eighth seed proved so with a hold to start the second set.

She added a break but was broken right back by Bencic, who didn’t want her opponent getting out of control. By the fifth game, it was Muguruza still ahead with a break up on the Swiss, who served for a chance to level. Bencic drew three errors from the Spaniard until a return landed wide from her end. Losing a point was not an issue as she forced another long ball return from the eighth seed, making it three-all.

A break of serve in the seventh for Bencic was a game-changer, regaining control of the momentum. Mistakes in the eighth allowed Muguruza a chance to break back, but a net-front smash for the Swiss forced deuce. Muguruza blew her AD point chances and, three points later, found herself facing a 3-5 elimination scenario. The 28-year-old served to stay in the fight, but Bencic was there for every hit from across the net. After an error from Muguruza, Bencic put the match to bed with a line drive winner ending one hour and three minutes under the lights.

Bencic improved her record in Canada to 11-1 since her 2015 title and would take on Beatriz Haddad Maia. “I think every match is really difficult,” said Bencic during her on-court interview. “Bea has played some great matches throughout the grass season, and she’s a tricky lefty, very tough, she has a good serve, and I think it’s going to be a challenge, but I’m really happy to play another match here.”

Belinda Bencic ends Serena Williams at National Bank Open

Belinda Bencic clenches her fist during her second round match against Serena Williams at the National Bank Open. 

Belinda Bencic stayed focused and let her tennis game speak loudly at the National Bank Open Wednesday night. In just her second win over Serena Williams, the 25-year-old bested the former world number one in straight sets 6-2, 6-4 on center court at Sobeys Stadium in Toronto.

The American won her first match since the third round of the 2021 French Open defeating Nuria Parrizas-Diaz on center court two nights ago. It came on the same day she announced her upcoming retirement, but for the 40-year-old, she still had a competition to partake in. She last faced Bencic in 2019, where she won in three sets, marking her third against the Swiss. The 12th seed notched a single victory against Williams that led to her first major title in 2016. With the chance to get another one, the 25-year-old saved up strength after her opening round win to prepare for this moment in Toronto.

Williams opened with a service hold yet faced challenges from the Swiss. When Bencic got her chance, she moved the ball around to get the American off the mark and lock her end down. An opportunity for Bencic came to fruition when Williams double-faulted twice during her service. It handed the 12th seed three break points when the second double fault from the 40-year-old capped it.

Bencic followed it up with a comfortable serve to love, notching ten straight points against the former world number one. While the crowd tried to give Williams support, Bencic took her time to hit the shots back and gain breakpoints. The American overcame a 40-15 deficit, forcing deuce and ending Bencic’s winning streak. By the sixth game, the 12th seed had a two-game buffer on the 40-year-old, who didn’t have consistency working in her favor.

In the seventh, the Swiss star perfectly blocked a body shot from Williams, scoring on a return winner she wasn’t set up to respond to. The 25-year-old’s footwork was a key play in her success against the American, who flopped her final shot into the net. With a chance to serve for the set, Bencic earned free points on errors by Williams to achieve set point. On her first attempt, the rally got dicey, leading Williams to smash a net-front winner for deuce. Bencic knew she had the leverage to get out of trouble and, after four breaks, an easy finish awarded her the first in 42 minutes.

Williams served to begin the second set and earned applause from the crowd with a strong service hold. Bencic followed it up with her consistent timing and forehand repertoire that answered the American. Williams added another service game that was a positive feeling for her supporters in the stands, leading the 12th seed Swiss. Bencic responded with blistering winners that quickly made it two-all, wanting the momentum back.

A serve to love from Williams showed an increase in her offense as she continued to lead Bencic. Six games were held between the two, but in the seventh, errors from Williams handed the Swiss star breakpoints leading to a double fault that gave her the lead. With the break in hand, the 12th seed was given free points on errant returns and a 5-3 stance. Williams wasn’t going down without a fight and hit big shots that forced errors from Bencic. She capped a fourth win in the set but had to stave off the Swiss, who served for the match.

Long balls from the American helped Bencic get two match points in the tenth leaving Bencic to watch another long ball fall right in front of her and clinch the victory in 1 hour and 19 minutes. With another huge moment in her career, the Swiss goes on to match against Garbine Muguruza in the round of 16. 

Garbine Muguruza gets important win at National Bank Open over Kaia Kanepi

Garbine Muguruza was in fine form under pressure at the National Bank Open Wednesday night. In her first match after 40 days, the Spaniard did work to stay ahead of Kaia Kanepi in straight sets 6-4, 6-4 on National Bank Grandstand.

The Spaniard met against the Estonian for the third time and second this season. It was at Roland Garros that the 37-year-old bested the former world number one in the opening round. Muguruza suffered further losses in the early rounds of Berlin, Eastbourne, and Wimbledon. Having not played since June 29th, the Spaniard faced a difficult position against the veteran, who got an early pass due to Naomi Osaka’s retirement Monday. After a solid run in Washington, where she made it to the final there, Kanepi was prepped for handling the eighth seed.

The 37-year-old started by watching Muguruza run through her service game before suffering a break from her end. The Spaniard backed it up for a 3-0 lead, in hopes that this wasn’t all that came on the day. Errors put her down 0-40 in the fourth, but she fought back to force deuce. Not wanting to drop another service, Kanepi gained the AD point and locked down the service with a game-winner.

Muguruza kept her own game in check and held the fifth before watching Kanepi gain comfort. Though she gave up two points, the Estonian held serve and broke the eighth seed with two breakpoint chances. The 37-year-old backed up the break with a strong response on serve that leveled the score at four-all. With all the ground lost, Muguruza made sure to regain the lead at the business end of the first and pressure Kanepi to hand it to her.

The tenth was a tug of war, but after five points played, Muguruza achieved set point for the break and captured the set in 51 minutes. The two played evenly with winners and unforced errors committed, but the second serve of the Estonian let her down in critical moments.

Wanting a better turnout, Kanepi pulled off a break to start the second set and backed it up with a break from the Spaniard. Muguruza held to love in the third but was suddenly shut out by Kanepi in the fourth. It set the bar for Muguruza to better her offense and proved so with a 3-2 lead from the service. Kanepi was following suit on holds of service when the two closed in on the end of the second set. Muguruza continued to hold serve in the ninth, leaving the Estonian to match or press on.

The 37-year-old felt the pressure as she fell behind on serve in the tenth, handing the win to the Spaniard, who earned the final break in 1 hour and 33 minutes. With a tough opponent out of her way, the 28-year-old could dig in for another battle, facing Belinda Bencic in the round of 16.

Alison Riske edges Jelena Ostapenko in three sets for the upset

Alison Riske clenches her fist during a second round match with Jelena Ostapenko at the National Bank Open.  

Alison Riske fought from behind and in the lead to come through at the National Bank Open Wednesday. The American battled Jelena Ostapenko through lead change after lead change until she came through in a 7-6(2), 0-6, 7-5 score on Court One at Sobeys Stadium in Toronto. It marked her first series win against the 16th seed, who had the strength but double faults broke it apart.

The Latvian marked her third win in Toronto after defeating Kalinina for the third time in her career. Cutting the second set short against the Ukrainian gave her enough energy to store for a tough match with the American. Riske went the full length with Petra Kvitova, who has bested Ostapenko five times but didn’t get a chance this time. The 32-year-old earned her right for a third chance against the 16th seed, in hopes of notching a win. Both of their previous battles came on the hard surface, leaving either one open to enter the round of 16.

Ostapenko stumbled on the first two points but found her forehand to record easy winners on Riske and hold. The American didn’t have the best performance on serve but did manage to secure the second game. The Latvian kept her pace in check and made work of the third game before capitalizing on her opponent. Carrying the momentum, the 25-year-old relentlessly found the lines on her returns, earning the break and a 3-1 lead.

Ostapenko suffered a second double fault in her attempt to back up the break. The mistake opened the door for Riske to try and break back, but the 16th seed reeled in the problem. On the second break of deuce, Ostapenko got comfortably into the rally, swung the forehand crosscourt, and awarded herself a three-game streak. The tables turned for the American, who held serve and broke her opponent to love in the seventh to sit a game down.

Riske eyed a chance to level the score, but her 40-0 grip loosened when Ostapenko tallied three return winners to force deuce. She drove herself from being down in the game to conducting the remainder of it for a 5-3 stand. Ostapenko served for the set but notched her third double fault to start. It opened the door for Riske to get out front and break the 16th seed.

Sitting one game from extending the set, the American held her end, only to see Ostapenko take the lead back at 6-5. Riske didn’t let her game come apart and kept the fight on in the 12th, where she successfully held to force a tiebreak. The American opened the scoring with a minibreak before finding herself up 3-0. It was frustrating for the Latvian, who had a lot of work to do, to come back from the deficit.

It was too late for the 16th seed, who fell too far behind, watching the set slip away in 58 minutes in favor of the American. It was a topsy-turvy battle between the two, but at the business end, Riske pulled off the comeback. When the second got underway, Ostapenko was in front again, trying to take charge on the court. She scored the double break on the American, who had some issues with the service.

It was a momentum cruise for the 16th seed, who quickly took a 4-0 lead in hopes that she could lock up a tie. The American threatened in the fifth, but Ostapenko put the brake on her opponent’s effort and held to remain in command. Serving for a shutout, the Latvian committed back-to-back double faults but was then gifted a long return from Riske, ending the set in 25 minutes.

For the first time in the match, Riske held the opening game of the set, hoping to get on the right path. The American defended well to earn a break from the Latvian, who was showing frustration to her support. In the third, she dug in patiently, only to see Riske score two aces in a row. Ostapenko answered with a winner on the first break of deuce, leading to a bad double fault from Riske.

The loss of service for the 32-year-old led to a tie for the Latvian, who didn’t take the fourth game by any ease. The American denied her opponent from getting another one, holding Ostapenko to love in the fifth to regain the lead. The 25-year-old’s shots were going wide during the last few games, leaving her in a vulnerable position. Mistakes from the American made it three-all as neither player had a sense of great control over the other.

Riske held to step out ahead of Ostapenko, who had a mixed bag of shots that included her eighth double fault and a couple of winners. It somehow got her to deuce with Riske, but the effort was long-lasting. The American earned chances to break but couldn’t get over the line. Both players battled through 17 points and six breaks until Ostapenko held to keep on Riske’s tail.

After six holds of serve, the American was back in the lead during the business end of the deciding set. Ostapenko felt the extra pressure as she served to stay in the competition in the 10th. A huge slice of luck in the form of a lob gave Riske the early lead, but Ostapenko’s returns helped her regain patience and the lead back. A third ace from the Latvian put her in reach of game point, which she accomplished on an error from Riske into the net.

The set was going the distance with a five-all situation and Riske back on serve. The American held strong in the 11th, sitting one game from an upset. It was back in the hands of the Latvian, who lost the first pair of points on serve. Riske gave up one, but a ninth double fault brought up match point. A short rally ended with Ostapenko fore handing a shot into the net, bringing an end to a dramatic fight in 2 hours and 20 minutes.

Belinda Bencic handles Tereza Martincova in straight sets at National Bank Open

Belinda Bencic waves to the crowd after her straight sets win over Tereza Martincova at the National Bank Open. 

Belinda Bencic comfortably took care of business at the National Bank Open Tuesday. She notched 23 winners in a solid performance against Tereza Martincova, winning 6-4, 6-2 on National Bank Court at Sobeys Stadium.

The Swiss owned the series with four wins against the Czech. She went over a month without a single match played, leaving her hungry for action on the hard courts. Martincova got two under her belt at Washington before being ousted and into fighting for a place in Toronto. With the withdrawal of Victoria Azarenka, the 27-year-old gained her place in the draw, hoping for a better outcome against her rival.

She opened the match with two quick points before Bencic got to scoring. After reaching 40-30, Martincova sealed the win to start things right. The 12th seed made quick work of her service game, but so did the Czech, who sped much faster in her second service game on the court. Seeing that her opponent was playing well, Bencic put her offense into another gear and leveled the score at two-all through four games. In the fifth, she returned fiercely, which earned her the break and a chance to back it up.

The 25-year-old accomplished a 4-2 grip on Martincova, who was seeing a major shift in momentum. She put a halt to it, holding in the seventh, but Bencic was still on a great pace from her side of the court. She easily capped the eighth game, hunting to bring an end to the set with Martincova back on the hot seat. Unforced errors were rolling up for the Czech, who gifted Bencic three set points.

One was saved on only the Swiss’s second error of the set, but more came from the 25-year-old that brought up deuce. The pressure increased for Bencic, who blew four set points, handing Martincova chances to sit a game down. After four breaks, the Czech succeeded on serve, leaving Bencic irate. She pulled off three straight points, blowing two more before putting the set to bed after 36 minutes. Bencic’s points won on first and second serves were high compared to Martincova.

In the second set, Bencic fired on all cylinders to take a 2-0 lead on the Czech, who struggled to regroup her game. In her second attempt to dig in, Martincova trailed on the scoreboard and inevitably handed her opponent the double break. The Swiss backed up the break, fighting back the Czech off on deuce to gain the AD point, and keep it. The 27-year-old denied her opponent a chance for the triple, securing a victory herself.

She kept the fight up, going after Bencic’s service in the sixth to force deuce. Despite two chances to break the 12th seed, Martincova fell 1-5, putting Bencic in play to go for the match. The 27-year-old held serve in the seventh, but with Bencic back on serve, she needed more to go right. A trickle return over the net from Bencic was a bad beat for the Czech, who soon saw her tournament conclude. Reaching two match points, the 12th seed fired a second straight ace down the T to move on after 1 hour and 15 minutes.   

While she added her fifth win against Martincova, the path forward took a swing of difficulty as Serena Williams stood in her way going into the second round.

Jelena Ostapenko marks strong win in straight sets at WTA 1000 Toronto

Jelena Ostapenko found charge in her first round match at the National Bank Open in Toronto. 

Jelena Ostapenko had a couple of ups and down but took control during the critical moments at the National Bank Open Monday. Anhelina Kalinina rattled her own game to pieces while being challenged by the 16th seed in a 6-4, 6-2 score on Court 1 at Sobeys Stadium at York University.

The Latvian was ready to restart the hard court season after less than expected results during the grass court run. With an unsuccessful defense at Eastbourne and being kicked out of Wimbledon in the fourth round, the 25-year-old eyed an easy start in Toronto. Despite having a 2-0 series lead against the Ukrainian, her 2-5 record in Canada didn’t stand up to expectations. Coming back to the tournament for the first time in three years, Ostapenko hopes she could settle her ways and be back in the hunt like she was earlier this year.

Ostapenko opened the match with two double faults between points but managed to hold serve. It wasn’t an easy start for Kalinina, who had a tough challenge from the 16th seed. The players went to deuce until an error from Ostapenko on the second break evened the score. Both struggled with their respective offense, notching double faults but held serve through the next two games.

They both notched back-to-back holds of serve, but reaching the business end of the first set for Ostapenko was her time to strike. After clinching the ninth game, the Latvian was laser focused while Kalinina notched several double faults on serve. It gave way to an easy finish of the first set that lasted 43 minutes.

The 16th seed brought the best of her offense to start the second set, landing an ace and lobbing easy point wins across the net. Despite losing the chance for a shutout, Ostapenko held with a sliced crosscourt that didn’t come back. The Latvian took a comfortable 2-0 lead, playing comfortably on the court. Backing up the break almost fell apart for Ostapenko, but saving a breakpoint from Kalinina got her to deuce and in position to secure the game. The Ukrainian found a way to get onto the scoreboard, making her shots hard for Ostapenko to return.

Kalinina got back on track with a heavy break of the 16th seed, gaining lost ground to sit a game behind. Knowing that her opponent was pressuring her on the scoreboard, Ostapenko claimed a critical break back that put her two games up and a chance to serve for a wider gap. She quickly dispatched Kalinina in the seventh, adding nerves to the Ukrainian. On serve to stay in contention, she lost the first pair of points as the Latvian responded well on returns.

She gained two points herself and then reached game point. Ostapenko forced deuce with a blistering backhand crosscourt and reached match point on a gifted error. Kalinina’s 11th double fault of the match took her out of the tournament, handing Ostapenko the victory in 1 hour and 13 minutes.

Ostapenko tallied 26 of 32 points from the first serve and saved five of six breakpoints against the Ukrainian. Despite troubles from her second serve, the points won changed up the pace of scoring and gave her a great start. She would need everything to go right in the second round when she faces the winner between Alison Riske or Petra Kvitova.

Victoria Azarenka notches another win at Citi Open

Victoria Azarenka gives the crowd a wave of thanks after her two set match with Tereza Martincova at the Citi Open. 

Victoria Azarenka faced challenges on the court but came through at the Citi Open Friday. Tereza Martincova gave it her all in the delayed round of 16 matchup but fell in a 7-6(7), 6-2 score on Grandstand Court at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center.

In a victory over Dayana Yastremska Monday, the fourth seed takes on the Czech for the second time and the first since the US Open last year. Azarenka managed to blank Martincova similarly as the Ukrainian, hoping that she had the same results and move into the quarterfinal. The 27-year-old came into Washington with a 1-9 first-round record in her last ten tournaments. The match against Xinyu Wang took Martincova over two hours to defeat the Chinese star. Earning two days off gave her time to recover as she planned to give it her all and level the series with the former world number one.

Martincova opened service and battled Azarenka through every point. The 33-year-old forced deuce and fought hard to produce an AD point. All three achieved went the way of the Czech, who managed to save face and be out on top in the opening game. Azarenka had a rusty start that led Martincova to achieve the break and a 2-0 lead. The fourth seed recovered, drawing errors from the Czech to break back in the third.

Azarenka backed up her lone win with a service hold that leveled the score despite some issues that she expressed verbally. The next two games saw each of them contain service, but in the seventh, Martincova was up 40-0. Azarenka saved two game points but was cut short of forcing deuce. Azarenka put together the best game of the set, charging shots hard at the Czech, who struggled to keep up.

With the score tied, Martincova finally achieved an easy service to love against the former world number one, setting up a chance to break and take the first. Azarenka refused to give in and started the tenth with some big point wins against the Czech. A double fault and an error hindered her chance to secure the serve. She fought back to gain the AD point, watching Martincova fail to get the ball back across the court.

The 11th game was a tug of war for control as neither wanted to be trailing going into the last game of the set. Martincova tried to close it at 40-30, but the 33-year-old forced long drawn out deuce. Both players spanned six breaks, with Azarenka finding chances through half of them, but on the final point, it was the Czech securing the service. The fourth seed held her end to bring up a tiebreak, but Martincova was still out in front.

An ace for Azarenka made it three-all and her moment to sit in front of Martincova. It was a short-lived moment for the former world number one, as she found herself close to the Czech through the next five points played. On her first set point attempt, Azarenka suffered a tough break from Martincova, who made a statement on a winner.

With the score tied, they continued until a lob from the fourth seed had the 27-year-old on the ropes. On a second set point attempt, Azarenka clinched the first with a crosscourt winner that capped her lead after an 80-minute battle. Both players combined for eight double faults, with Azarenka recording five. The 33-year-old won 73 percent of points from the first serve, indicating she had enough strength to fight on.

The second went the way of the 33-year-old, who opened scoring with Martincova on her tail. Once the game point was at hand for Azarenka, the fourth seed capped the game and went right into the second, breaking Martincova late. She had the Czech pinned down while she backed up the break for a 3-0 lead, following the same route two days ago. Azarenka soon had a commanding 4-0 run on Martincova, who couldn’t find her way across the fourth seed.

In the fifth, the 27-year-old dug in against the service of Azarenka but watched her opponent force deuce. Despite the missed opportunity, Martincova battled to break the fourth seed and get on the board. She held serve, splitting Azarenka’s lead in the sixth. The loss of two games didn’t break the spirit of the 33-year-old, who was determined to cross the finish line and enter the quarterfinal. Winning the seventh game was huge for the fourth seed, getting the job done on serve to pressure the Czech.

Martincova carried the lead in the eighth but was forced to deuce by the 33-year-old. They went through four breaks where the 27-year-old saved two match points. She continued to gain AD points, but a low fast winner from Azarenka brought it back to deuce. A forehand return painted the baseline for a third match point that went into the net during the final rally ending a two-hour fight.

Despite so much effort put in to her day, she guaranteed herself another aganst Xinyu wang for a spot in the semifinal. All depended on whether the weather would hold up enough for them to get into action or face a potential doublheader Saturday. 

Azarenka flies to win maiden Citi Open match

Victoria Azarenka was all smiles after her first match since May, defeating Dayana Yastremska at the Citi Open Tuesday. 

Victoria Azarenka opened her first visit to the Citi Open with a landslide victory Tuesday afternoon. The fourth seed kept her composure and an offense that defeated Dayana Yastremska 6-4, 6-0 on John Harris Court at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center. The Ukrainian left herself no chance to come back with seven double faults and 42 unforced errors that ended the scoring gap by 24 points.

The two met in Toronto in 2019, where the young Ukrainian etched her first win against the former world number one. In five of the last six tournaments played, Yastremska hasn’t made it out of the first round. She hasn’t made an impact during any US run but felt that her time might come in the nation’s capital.

Azarenka wasn’t allowed to play at Wimbledon and decided to focus on her hard court favoritism and skip the entirety of grass court action. It was her first visit to Washington DC, and the first match played since May. The 33-year-old was ready for a strong start just two weeks before going to the Western and Southern Open.

She was gifted an easy reception by Yastremska, who erred early during her service. She nearly gave Azarenka a break to love, but two long balls from the fourth seed put her halfway from deuce. The Ukrainian earned a chance to secure the service, but a double fault handed the 33-year-old the lead. She consolidated the break with ease on serve, but couldn’t score the double break on the 22-year-old.

Yastremska was happy to get into play on the court and move alongside Azarenka, who had a 3-1 lead. The Ukrainian notched another hold of serve in the fifth before opening the sixth with a break to love chance. The fourth seed had a lot of trouble on serve but somehow climbed back to deuce. They played three breaks where on the fourth breakpoint chance for the Ukrainian, a huge effort from her leveled the score at three each.

Azarenka pushed hard to break Yastremska for the lead back, but the Ukrainian kept it level with a break back. She wanted to be in front for the first time in the set, but the fourth seed wouldn’t have it. Azarenka forced deuce, gaining the breakpoint in turn. It was another double fault from Yastremska that handed the 33-year-old the double break.

With her chance to serve for the set, the fourth seed forced errors from the Ukrainian, reaching set point at 40-30. A long ball brought the 22-year-old to deuce, but the leverage remained with her opponent. Azarenka forced one final error off the Ukrainian to put the set to rest in 52 minutes. Both players combined for seven double faults, but winning points from the service was in favor of the fourth seed, who notched 68 percent from the first serve and won four of six breakpoints.

The fourth seed waited for Yastremska to return from a bathroom break, and when she did, the 33-year-old broke her to love. Azarenka backed up the break, with a service hold, and broke the 22-year-old again in the third. Through the next two games, it was Azarenka’s show on the court, taking a commanding 5-0 run while Yastremska added her seventh double fault in turn. Serving for the match, the fourth seed coasted to victory, with the Ukrainian out of sorts. Azarenka watched her opponent hit one at the net and watched it land behind the baseline ending 1 hour and 27 minutes.

After a great output in front of a new crowd, the 33-year-old looked forward to her next match against the winner between Tereza Martincova and Xinyu Wang in the round of 16.