Thursday, October 17, 2024

Canada’s Fernandez rallies for three-set win over Russia’s Shnaider at Wuhan Open

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WUHAN, China – Canada’s Leylah Fernandez rallied to beat 12th-seeded Diana Shnaider 6-7 (7), 6-3, 6-3 on Monday at the Wuhan Open.

Fernandez, from Laval, Que., won 79 per cent of points on first serve while her Russian opponent was held to just 60 per cent. The Canadian also had a 7-2 edge in aces in the first-round match.

No. 12-ranked Beatriz Haddad-Maia beat Madison Keys of the U.S. 7-6 (7), 6-2. The Brazilian, the Seoul Open winner last month for her fourth career title, converted five of her eight break point opportunities to Keys’ three from 12.

Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria reacts during the men’s singles second round match against Zizou Bergs of Belgium in the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Monday, Oct. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

No. 10-ranked Anna Kalinskaya eased past Anna Bondár 6-1, 6-3 and 15th-seeded Donna Vekic overcame Elise Mertens 3-6, 6-1, 6-3.

Rain in Wuhan meant play on the outside courts was suspended.

The top eight seeds, including second-ranked Aryna Sabalenka and China Open champion Coco Gauff, received a first-round bye.

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SHANGHAI (AP) — Two days after starting, seventh-ranked Taylor Fritz and 10th-ranked Grigor Dimitrov finally complete their second-round matches at the Shanghai Masters on Monday.

Fritz, the U.S. Open finalist, led 4-3 in the opening set against Frenchman Terence Atmane when rain suspended play on Saturday at the Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena, and then washed out all matches on the outside courts until Monday.

The American needed two tiebreakers to see off the No. 161-ranked Atmane 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5), with only one break of serve for each in the two-hour match. Fritz will play Japanese qualifier Yosuke Watanuki in the third round.

Taylor Fritz of the United States serves against Terence Atmane of France during the men's singles second round match in the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Monday, Oct. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Taylor Fritz of the United States serves against Terence Atmane of France during the men’s singles second round match in the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Monday, Oct. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Dimitrov, playing in his 100th Masters event, resumed on Monday with a set lead but down a break in the second against Zizou Bergs.

The No. 73-ranked Belgian converted his advantage to take the second set. Dimitrov responded by breaking Bergs three times for the loss of one of his own service games, to clinch the match 6-3, 3-6, 6-2.

The Bulgarian will play Australian Alexei Popyrin in the third round.

Holger Rune of Denmark rallied from a set down to beat Matteo Berrettini of Italy 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.