Second-seeded Jasmine Paolini overcame a brave fight from Leila Fernandez on Tuesday, defeating 7-6 (8) 7-6 (6) in a dramatic round of 16 collisions at the Bad Homburg Open, where Fernandez saved four match points.
Paolini framed the opening set with a tiebreak and saved the setpoint at 5-4 after a 26-shot rally before sealing 10-8.
The Italians were hoping for a straight set victory on the course when they led 5-2 in the second time, but Canada’s Fernandez saved the match point with an ace and came back.
Paolini held more match points at 6-5, but Fernandez saved all three to force a tiebreak. Fernandez went 6-4 on the breaker, but Paolini held firmly and saved two set points before figuring out the victory at the fifth match point.
Despite converting only five of the 17 breakpoints, Parini secured his first victory in Grass this season after a two and a half hour match.
“It’s so much fun to play with the grass, but you have to get used to it and you need to be confident in the game as well.
“I also really like going to the net and doing drop volleys. It’s fun, but at the same time it’s a bit difficult.”
Fourth seed Iga Swiatek overcame a late start to defeat Belarus’ Victoria Azarenka 6-4 6-4. After tracking 2-4, Swiatek broke Azarenka at 4-3 and flattened it.
Paul broke 5-4 again, saving two breakpoints in the tense final game. Azarenka then sent out a wide-wide to admit the set.
The players traded the break early in the second set before Swiatek pulled away. After beating 4-3, the top seed seals the victory two more times in a straight set.
The poor form of four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi’s big continued after falling 6-4, 6-4 against America’s fifth seed Emmanavaro.
Navarro will face his fellow countryman Jessica Pegra on Thursday.