This year’s Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin came back from a set and a break down at 3-5 and saved a match point to beat qualifier Jaqueline Cristian 6-7 (5-7) 7-5 6-4 after 2 hours and 31 minutes.
Kenin earned the first break in the opening game with a return down the line. The US player of Russian origin saved three break points in the sixth game. Cristian broke back at love in the eighth game to draw level to 4-4. Cristian saved a set point before breaking serve to draw level to 5-5 before Kenin hit a double fault and a wide backhand. Kenin saved a set point in the tie-break but Cristian sealed the tie-break 7-5.
Cristian saved three break points with three aces in the fourth game before breaking serve in the fifth game at deuce to take a 3-2 lead after a backhand error from Kenin.
Kenin faced a match point at 3-5, as she was serving to stay in the match before breaking serve at love to draw level to 5-5. Kenin saved a break point at 5-5 before holding serve with a fourth ace. The top seed earned a crucial break with a deep return on the fourth set point.
Both players fended off break points in the first two games of the third set. The third set went on serve in the next seven games. Kenin broke serve at love, as Cristian made three unforced errors serving at 3-4 down. Kenin hit a lob and a forehand winner serving for the match, but Cristian broke straight back with a backhand pass. Kenin sealed the win on her second match point with a forehand.
Kenin will face Oceane Dodin, who received a walkover after her rival withdrew from the match due to a right ankle injury.
Daria Kasatkina cruised past Irina Bara 6-3 6-2 after 65 minutes setting up a quarter final against Camila Giorgi. The first set featured five breaks in nine service games. After two trades of break Kasatkina earned her third break in the eighth game to seal the first set 6-3.
Kasatkina cruised through to a 6-2 win in the second set with two breaks in the first three games.
