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No. 1 seed Magda Linette reached the quarter-finals of the Merida Open on Thursday after her opponent, Panna Udvardy retired mid-match with an injury. Linette was leading 6-0, 2-5 when the Hungarian found it unable to continue in the match.
In the first set, Linette won 75% of her first-serve points and 85% of her second-serve points. She also won all five points played on return on Udvardy’s second serve. The 31-year-old didn’t face any break point and converted three break points on Udvardy’s serve.
In the quarters, the world no. 21 will play Rebecca Peterson. The Swede, who qualified for the main draw upset fifth seed Alycia Parks in their second-round meeting. Peterson needed an hour and 26 minutes to post a 6-4, 6-2 win over the American.
Peterson won 78% of her first-serve points to Parks’ 68%. She converted four of seven break points on Parks’ serve while dropping her serve once throughout the match.
Merida Open: Sloane Stephens' Mexican success endures
Second seed Sloane Stephens also moved into the quarter-finals in a match that not only went the distance but also required her to make a comeback from a set down.
Stephens needed two hours and 46 minutes to defeat Varvara Gracheva 5-7, 6-2, 7-6(5). Looking to reach the semi-finals, Stephens will play Camila Giorgi. The Italian won her round-of-16 match against Nuria Parrizas Diaz on Wednesday.
After an hour and 52 minutes of play, Giorgi wrapped up a 7-6(5), 6-2 win for herself. Fourth seed Katerina Siniakova also clinched a place in the quarters on Thursday. The Czech got past Ysaline Bonaventure 6-0, 7-5. Next up for Siniakova will be seventh seed Elisabetta Cocciaretto.
The Italian who was the only seed to play her round-of-16 match on Wednesday got through against Xinyu Wang 6-4, 6-2 after 73 minutes of play. Wang’s compatriot, Xiyu Wang also went down in the second round of the Merida Open on Wednesday.
Australian qualifier Kimberly Birrell defeated Wang 6-3, 6-2. Birrell will play Cathy McNally for a chance to reach the semi-finals. McNally came through in an American derby against Katie Volynets, 6-3, 6-0. Photo Credit: WTA Twitter