Semenistaja triumphs in the qualifying match of the Rome “WTA 1000” series tournament

Semenistaja (WTA 122nd) defeated the host Jesika Maneiro (WTA 89th), who was seeded 14th in the qualification, 4-6, 6-0, 7-5.

In the first set, Semenistaja, who started the game with a serve, fell behind 0-3 and was unable to catch up with her opponent.

At the beginning of the third set, which was started by the Latvian second racket, the two longest games of the match were played, both tennis players winning their service games.

In the fourth game, Semenistaja used the second of two break points in a row, but lost the next four games to come one game away from losing the match at 3-5.

In the ninth game, Latvia’s second racket played back three match points, two of which were in a row, reaching 4-5. In the tenth game, Semenistaja once again played back two match points in a row and with four consecutive won games, evened the score – 5-5.

On the other hand, in the 12th game, Semenistaja used the first of two match points.

Maneiro served better, performing three irresistible serves against the Latvian tennis player’s one “run”, but also more often made double faults in serves (9:0).

Semenistaja both served more accurately, hitting 68.9% of first serves on the court (opponent – 56.2%), and scored more points with first (54.8%:54%) and second (57.6%:41%) serves.

Latvia’s second racket used half of 16 break points, while Maneiro scored a point in five of 17 opportunities.

In the whole game, Semenistaya won 105 out of 195 hands.

Semenistaja earned 20 world ranking points for the victory.

In the decisive match for entry into the main tournament of the Rome competition, Semenistaja will meet Slovakian Rebeka Shramkova (WTA 120), who on Monday beat British athlete Harriet Dart (WTA 85), who was seeded with the tenth number in the qualification, 6-2, 6-3.

Latvia’s number one player Aļona Ostapenko, who ranks tenth in the world and is seeded ninth in the tournament, will also participate in the main competition of the Rome tournament. She is exempted from the first round competition.

Competitions take place on clay courts.