Tennis News: Third time became Rebecca Marino’s lucky charm against Zhu Lin in the 2023 season after the Canadian tennis player beat her in the first round of the Madrid Open.
This encounter was the third meeting between the two tennis players this season, with the first two encounters being won by Chinese tennis player Zhu. But in their first encounter on clay, it was the Canadian who took an early advantage and did not allow her opponent to find success after the Canadian won 7-6 6-4 in the first round of the Madrid Open.
The world number 79 tennis player’s serve in the match was reliable after he managed to fire 11 aces and won 73% of the points on his first serve. He also saved five of the seven break point opportunities he faced while converting three of the eight he created.
Marino didn’t spend much time putting the game in a different direction than in their previous two encounters this season, a strategy that saw him take a 3-0 lead in the opening set, but Zhu kept his composure and tied the game at 3-3. .
Both players took turns taking the lead before the Canadian had a chance to take the first set at 6-5, but Zhu didn’t let that happen and forced a tiebreaker.
The world No. 79 started the tie-break with a 2/0 lead and since then has dropped just one point before taking a one-set lead.
At the start of the second set, the Canadian struggled after a tougher start in the second as she faced five break point opportunities in her first two service games, but she held on until make it 2-2 before converting the game into the second point and winning the game.
24th seed Elise Mertens awaits Marino in the second round of the Madrid Open.
In the same match draw, German tennis player Jule Niemeier didn’t face many obstacles as she eliminated Zhu’s compatriot Wang Xinyu 6-4 6-2 and will face tenth seed Petra Kvitova in the second. round.
Meanwhile, Sorana Cirstea will challenge second seed Aryna Sabalenka after the Romanian beat American Lauren Davis 6-3 3-6 6-1.
Article Tags: Tennis, Madrid Open, Rebecca Marino, Zhu Lin
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