Daria Saville fights past world No.47 Tatjana Maria in a dramatic three-set battle to reach her biggest WTA-level quarterfinal in almost two years.
San Diego, USA, 29 February 2024 | Leigh Rogers
San Diego, USA
Daria Saville has produced a steely comeback to secure a quarterfinal spot at a WTA 500 tournament in San Diego.
The 29-year-old Australian came within one point of exiting in straight sets against German Tatjana Maria in the second round, before pulling off a remarkable 5-7 7-6(2) 6-2 victory.
World No.47 Maria held a match point leading 5-4 in the second set, before Saville fought back to triumph in three hours and 14 minutes.
“It was a fun match, only because I won in the end,” a relieved Saville laughed after the match.
“It was a tough battle.”
This is Saville’s fourth top-50 win of the season and propels her into her biggest tour-level quarterfinal since Miami in March 2022.
With this effort, Saville is projected to return to the world’s top 120.
Saville, who is currently ranked No.148 and earned her place in the draw as a qualifier, will find out her quarterfinal opponent tomorrow. She’ll face the winner of world No.26 Emma Navarro, the tournament’s third seed, and Czech Katerina Siniakova.
“It’s nice I have a day off tomorrow, that’s good news,” Saville said. “I’ll probably have a pretty light hit and schedule my practice around their match so I can watch a little bit.”
Siniakova teamed with Saville’s best friend, Australian Storm Hunter, earlier today to score a first-round doubles win.
Aussie Ellen Perez also advanced to the doubles quarterfinals alongside American Nicole Melichar-Martinez.
Aussies in action – San Diego
RESULTS
Women’s singles, second round
[Q] Daria Saville (AUS) d Tatjana Maria (GER) 5-7 7-6(2) 6-2
[6] Marta Kostyuk (UKR) d [WC] Taylah Preston (AUS) 6-4 6-3
Women’s doubles, first round
[2] Storm Hunter (AUS)/Katerina Siniakova (CZE) d Miriam Kolodziejova (CZE)/Katarzyna Piter (POL) 7-5 6-1
[3] Ellen Perez (AUS)/Nicole Melichar-Martinez (USA) d [Alt] Dalma Galfi (HUN)/Mai Hontama (JPN) 6-1 7-5
COMING UP
Women’s singles, quarterfinals
[Q] Daria Saville (AUS) v TBC
Women’s doubles, quarterfinals
[2] Storm Hunter (AUS)/Katerina Siniakova (CZE) v Eri Hozumi (JPN)/Makoto Ninomiya (JPN)
[3] Ellen Perez (AUS)/Nicole Melichar-Martinez (USA) v Lidziya Marozava/Kimberly Zimmermann (BEL)
Acapulco, Mexico
Alex de Minaur has charged into the singles…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Tennis.com.au – Tennis Australia…