Laura Mair wins a three-set thriller
03.12.24
On Tuesday, during the third day of the “Raiffeisen ITF Women’s Val Gardena Südtirol $25,000” in Ortisei, 13 matches took place. Eleven of these were part of the first round of the main singles draw, while the other two featured the quarterfinals of the doubles event. With one exception, all the matches ended in two sets, with Laura Mair providing the only thriller of the day. Here is a brief recap.
FAVORITES ADVANCE WITHOUT TROUBLE – WITH ONE EXCEPTION
The seeded players showed good form on the third day of play. Tereza Valentova (Czech Republic, seed No. 2), Tena Lukas (Croatia, No. 3), Tina Nadine Smith (Australia, No. 4), Stacey Fung (finalist in Selva, No. 5), and Sofia Rocchetti (Italy, No. 8) all won their matches easily in two sets. The only one to struggle a bit was Lukas, who needed a 7-5, 6-4 win against Milana Zhabrailova to advance to the next round.
Even in doubles, the favored pairs met expectations. Ekaterina Ovcharenko and Emily Webley-Smith (seed No. 2) comfortably defeated South Tyrolean hope Marion Viertler and her partner Karina Hofbauer 6-2, 6-2. Similarly, Silvia Ambrosio (from TC Rungg) and Sofia Rocchetti defeated Allegra Fiorani and Elina Popescu 6-0, 6-3.
The real surprise of the day came in singles, where Federica Urgesi defeated the No. 6 seed, Australian Petra Hule, with a convincing 6-4, 6-2.
LAURA MAIR, LOCAL HERO, ADVANCES TO THE ROUND OF 16 AFTER A THRILLER
Young South Tyrolean hope Laura Mair (TC Gherdeina, WTA #754) gave the crowd an unforgettable evening on Center Court. Thanks to a wildcard for the main draw, the local player faced Swedish Lisa Zaar (WTA #578) in a match that thrilled the audience. After losing the first set 2-6, Laura found her rhythm in the second, quickly going up 4-1. However, Zaar did not give up, leveling the score at 4-4. With great determination, Mair secured another crucial break and won the set 6-4. In the third and decisive set, the two players exchanged breaks early on, before Mair found the right momentum at 4-4. After a marathon game, the young South Tyrolean closed out the match on her third match point, winning 2-6, 6-4, 6-4.
WHAT AWAITS US ON WEDNESDAY
The fourth day of the tournament will feature the round of 16 in singles, with high-level matches. Young Italian talent Angelica Sara (15 years old) will face Tina Nadine Smith, seed No. 4. In an all-Italian derby, Federica Urgesi will meet qualifier Noemi Maines. The tournament's No. 1 seed, Justina Mikulskyte, will play against Ekaterina Ovcharenko, while Laura Mair will challenge Sofia Rocchetti, seed No. 8. Finally, Silvia Ambrosio from TC Rungg will face Tereza Valentova, seed No. 2. In doubles, the favored pair Falkowska/Zaar will take to the court, while in the evening, the local duo of Sofia Selle and Anna Costaperaria will compete.
ITF W35 | RAIFFEISEN ITF WOMEN’S VAL GARDENA SÜDTIROL ($25,000)
ORTISEI – ALL RESULTS FROM DAY 3:
MAIN DRAW SINGLES | 1st ROUND:
[Q] Serena Paris – [4] Tina Nadine Smith 2:6, 1:6
Arianna Zucchini – [5] Stacey Fung 2:6, 3:6
[3] Tena Lukas – Milana Zhabrailova 7:5, 6:4
Weronika Falkowska – [Q] Sara Mikaca 6:3, 6:2
[6] Petra Hule – Federica Urgesi 4:6, 2:6
Lisa Zaar – [WC] Laura Mair 6:2, 4:6, 4:6
[Q] Elena Bocchi – [Q] Olga Helmi 1:6, 1:6
[Q] Jana Kolodynska – Mia Ristic 4:6, 3:6
[Q] Carlotta Moccia – [Q] Noemi Maines 0:6, 3:6
[8] Sofia Rocchetti – [Q] Karina Hofbauer 6:4, 6:3
Gabriela Ce – [2] Tereza Valentova 2:6, 2:6
MAIN DRAW DOUBLES | QUARTERFINALS:
Karina Hofbauer/Marion Viertler – [2] Ekaterina Ovcharenko/Emily W.-Smith 2:6, 2:6
Allegra Fiorani/Elina Popescu – [3] Silvia Ambrosio/Sofia Rocchetti 0:6, 3:6
