ATX Open: Birrell Shocks Yuan Yue in First-Round Thriller
Kimberly Birrell from Australia pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the ATX Open in Austin, Texas, defeating defending champion Yuan Yue of China 7-6 (5), 7-6 (5) in a tense first-round match on Monday.
- Both sets featured multiple service breaks, with Birrell breaking twice in the first set and three times in the second.
- Despite struggling with her first-serve percentage at 58 percent, Yuan could not capitalize in either tiebreaker.
- Birrell converted her first set point in both sets to close out the victory.
Other ATX Open First-Round Results:
- Ajla Tomljanovic (Australia) def. [7] Katie Volynets (USA) 7-6 (3), 7-5
- Tomljanovic outlasted Volynets in a tight battle, delivering crucial points in both the first-set tiebreaker and late in the second set.
- Anna Blinkova (Russia) def. [6] Moyuka Uchijima (Japan) 4-6, 6-4, 6-0
- Blinkova overcame a set deficit, dominating the final set with a commanding 6-0 finish.
- Nuria Parrizas Diaz (Spain) def. Malaika Rapolu (USA) 6-2, 6-4
- Rapolu, a former University of Texas standout, made her WTA Tour debut, but Parrizas Diaz proved too experienced in the key moments.
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Merida Open Akron: Avanesyan Stages Late Comeback to Oust Frech
Elina Avanesyan from Armenia overcame a 3-1 third-set deficit, winning five consecutive games to defeat seventh-seeded Magdalena Frech of Poland 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 in the first round of the Merida Open Akron in Mexico.
- Avanesyan saved nine of the 13 break points she faced, showing resilience under pressure.
- She now moves on to face Jessica Bouzas Maneiro of Spain in the second round.
Other Merida Open Akron Results:
- Jessica Bouzas Maneiro (Spain) def. Renata Jamrichova (Slovakia) 7-5, 5-7, 7-5
- Bouzas Maneiro edged out a marathon match against Jamrichova, winning a tight third set.
- Anhelina Kalinina (Ukraine) def. Leolia Jeanjean (France) 6-4, 1-6, 6-1
- Kalinina rebounded from a poor second set, completely dominating the decider.
- Maya Joint (Australia) def. Julia Grabher (Austria) 6-3, 6-2
- Joint cruised past Grabher in straight sets.
- Emiliana Arango (Colombia) def. Maria Lourdes Carle (Argentina) 6-2, 6-3
- The Colombian qualifier made quick work of her opponent, advancing comfortably.
What’s Next?
- Can Kimberly Birrell build on her momentum after eliminating the defending champion?
- Will Elina Avanesyan continue her strong run after a gritty comeback?
- Can Ajla Tomljanovic push further after her hard-fought win against Volynets?
With the tournaments heating up, expect more surprises, intense battles, and emerging stars in the coming rounds.
