Giorgi Edges Past Kanepi in Epic Miami Open Match
Italian tennis player Camila Giorgi progressed to the second round of the Miami Open after a grueling three-hour and 32-minute match against veteran Kaia Kanepi on Tuesday. The world number 44 won the match 7-6 (7-4) 6-7 (4-7) 7-6 (7-4), despite blowing a 5-0 lead in the third set. Giorgi had match points at 5-3 and 5-4 but Kanepi fought back to win the next five games. However, Giorgi rallied in the tie-break to secure the win on her fourth match point.
Giorgi, who won the Merida Open in February, will now face three-time Miami Open winner and 2023 Australian Open semi-finalist Victoria Azarenka in the second round. Meanwhile, Russian player Evgeniya Rodina produced the upset of the day by beating 37th-ranked Bernarda Pera in straight sets, while Elise Mertens and Yulia Putintseva also played their first-round matches.
Teenager Linda Fruhvirtova, ranked 50th in the world, suffered a shock loss to Canadian qualifier Katherine Sebov, while Katerina Siniakova withdrew due to injury during her match against Claire Liu. Liu will now face top seed and reigning champion Iga Swiatek in the second round.
The Miami Open is the equal-longest main draw match of the year so far, with the same duration as the Erika Andreeva-Harriet Dart first-round match at the ATX Open last month. Despite blowing a lead, Giorgi’s victory is a testament to her tenacity and fighting spirit on the court.
Staff Reporter
