Julia Grabher exited the WTA-1000 tournament in Cincinnati during the first round of qualifying, falling to American player Robin Montgomery in three sets with scores of 4:6, 7:5, 6:3, according to reports from LAOLA1 and Tennisnet.com. The tournament in Ohio presented challenging conditions, including rain delays that disrupted the qualifying schedule at the venue.
Match Flow and Turning Points
Grabher established an early advantage in the opening set. The player from Vorarlberg opened the match by taking a 40:0 lead in the first game and immediately broke her opponent’s serve, according to match accounts published by LAOLA1. She maintained her momentum through her service games and converted her first set point to secure the opening frame 6:4.
The second set proved tightly contested as both competitors held serve through the initial games. Grabher missed an opportunity early in the set when she earned four break chances but failed to convert them, Tennisnet.com reported. At 6:5, Montgomery capitalized on a late opening to secure the decisive break, leveling the match at one set apiece.
In the deciding third set, Montgomery broke Grabher’s serve at 3:2 to seize control of the contest. The American closed out the remaining games to complete the 4:6, 7:5, 6:3 victory and advance to the next qualifying stage.
Broader Austrian Campaign in Cincinnati
Grabher’s elimination prevented a potential all-Austrian matchup in the second qualifying round against compatriot Lilli Tagger, Tennisnet.com noted. Tagger advanced after staging a comeback victory against China’s Lin Zhu, dropping the first set 3:6 before dominant 6:1, 6:1 finishes in the subsequent sets following a rain delay that pushed back the Tuesday schedule.
Sinja Kraus also competed in the opening round of qualifying in Ohio. Ranked No. 81 in the world, Kraus defeated Spain’s Marina Bassols (ranked No. 136) in straight sets, 6:4, 6:3, in 1 hour and 34 minutes to secure her spot alongside Tagger in the second round of qualifying, according to Tennisnet.com.
Next Steps in Ohio
Following her victory over Grabher, Robin Montgomery advanced to face Lilli Tagger in the second round of the WTA-1000 qualifying draw. Tagger and Sinja Kraus continue their campaigns in Cincinnati as they pursue spots in the main draw of the tournament.
Worth a look
