The WTA Tour kicked off an exciting week with two tournaments: the WTA 500 Guadalajara Open in Mexico and the WTA 250 São Paulo Open in Brazil. Both events showcased emerging talents and seasoned players alike, as they vied for crucial points and prize money on their respective courts.
In Guadalajara, Czech player Darja Vidmanova made headlines by eliminating seventh seed Alycia Parks from the tournament. The match, which lasted for an hour and 23 minutes, concluded with a score of 6-2, 6-4. Vidmanova, a qualifier, demonstrated a commanding performance, capitalizing on Parks’ struggles with double faults (10 in total) and showcasing her own reliability by recording only two. After establishing a strong lead, Vidmanova reeled off five straight games to take the first set and then fought back from a 1-3 deficit in the second to secure her spot in the next round.
In her next match, Vidmanova will be challenged by fellow Czech Nikola Bartunkova, who also advanced after defeating Italian Nicole Fossa Huergo, 6-4, 6-2. Bartunkova faced struggles of her own but managed to convert one of six break chances in the first set and dominated with breaks in the second set to clinch her victory.
Another significant development came from 17-year-old Iva Jovic, who overcame Poland’s Katarzyna Kawa in a hard-fought match. Jovic’s scoreline of 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 reflected the ups and downs in her performance. After gaining the first set, Jovic struggled but rallied in the final set, winning the last four games to secure her advancement in the tournament.
Verónica Jiménez Kasintseva made her mark as well, defeating Russia’s Elena Pridankina, 6-4, 6-3, to join the ranks of WTA 500 competitors. Up next, she will face the tournament’s No. 2 seed, Veronika Kudermetova, who received a bye into the second round.
Meanwhile, in São Paulo, the atmosphere was electric as 15-year-old Nathan Vitoria Leme Da Silva achieved a historic feat by becoming the first player born in 2010 to win a WTA match. Leme Da Silva delighted local fans with a 6-7(0), 6-2, 6-0 victory over compatriot Carolina Alves. The match, set in the famed Quadra Central Maria Esther Bueno, marked a significant milestone in the young athlete’s career as she navigated through the challenges of playing at a professional level.
Leme Da Silva’s performance exhibited not only her competitive spirit but also her impressive skillset, particularly her forehand and drop shots, which helped her dominate the latter phases of the match. She is now set to face Argentine No. 2 seed Solana Sierra in the next round, marking another challenge for the talented teenager.
Also notable in São Paulo was Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah, who staged an incredible comeback against Ana Sofia Sánchez. In a match that extended over two hours and 54 minutes, Rajaonah overturned a dire 0-5 deficit in the third set to clinch victory 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(7), marking one of the most exhilarating comebacks of the year.
Overall, both tournaments are proving to be burgeoning stages for talent as rising stars and established athletes compete fiercely on the court. With the first rounds complete, fans are eagerly anticipating the next chapter of exciting matches.
