The Czech Linda Noskova won her first professional title on Saturday defeating New Zealander Lulu Sun 7-6(4), 6-4 in the final of the Monterrey Tennis Open.
Noskova, the WTA’s 35th-ranked player, and Sun, 57, were involved in a close duel in the first set. The Czech broke his rival’s serve in the second game, but couldn’t confirm, then both had chances and let them slip away.
In the tie break, Sun was ahead 5-3, but Noskova became less, she made a mini break to tie 6-6then he held serve and broke his rival.
The second set was different: inspired, Noskova won 88 percent of her first serve points and broke in the fifth game to take an unbeaten lead.
In person, the 19-year-old Czech was superior on his serves and won 6-4.
The difference in the second set was Noskova’s effectiveness at the crucial moment. Both players had a breaking point; The Czech converted his and saved his match.
In the other tournament of the week, in Cleveland, the Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia lost in the final to American McCartney Kessler.
The title match ended in a comeback when Kessler, world number 98, defeated Haddad Maia, number 23 in the ranking and first seed in this tournament, by 1-6, 6-1 and 7-5 in two hours and six minutes.
It was Kessler’s first WTA career title.
Both tennis players will immediately travel to New York, where the US Open begins on Monday.
Haddad Maia will debut against Armenian Elina Avanesyan (no. 51) and Kessler will do the same against Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk, world number 19).
Source: La Verdad
I’m Robert Maynard, and I am a passionate journalist with experience in sports writing. For the last few years, I have been writing for Today Times Live. My main focus has been on sports-related stories and features. With my strong background in journalism and extensive knowledge of the industry, I am able to provide readers with well-crafted pieces that are both informative and engaging.
