McNally, Chirico Lead Charleston Qualifiers
Caty McNally
DOWN SET AND BREAK, ZHANG ROARS BACK VS. MATTEK-SANDS
A resurgent Bethanie Mattek-Sands, 40, looked to be on her way into the main draw on Sunday in qualifying action at the Credit One Charleston Open, up a set and a break at 6-4, 3-1 against China’s Zhang Shuai.
But her 36-year-old opponent, a former Australian Open and Wimbledon quarterfinalist, would roar back to advance, 4-6, 7-5, 6-1, in one hour and 53 minutes.
Louisa Chirico
Joining Zhang in the main draw is American qualifier Louisa Chirico, who needed two hours and 38 minutes to overcome Swede Kajsa Rinaldo Persson, 6-7(4), 6-3, 7-5, in Credit One Stadium. Chirico reached the Round of 16 here in 2016, topping Naomi Osaka and fourth seed Lucie Safarova along the way.
Caty McNally had an easier time against fellow American Claire Liu, prevailing, 6-1, 6-3, in one hour and 15 minutes.
Over on the Althea Gibson Club Court, Canada’s Katherine Sebov defeated Japan’s Kyoka Okamura, 6-4, 6-2, while Iryna Shymanovich was a 7-6(6), 6-4 winner over American Elvina Kalieva. American Jamie Loeb bested Japan’s Eri Hozumi in two hours, 10 minutes, 6-2, 5-7, 6-1.
Bethanie Mattek-Sands
