Kontaveit through to US Open round of 16, will face Naomi Osaka
Estonian top tennis player Anett Kontaveit (WTA 21st) reached the round of 16 at the U.S. Open for the second time in her career after defeating Polish player Magda Linette (WTA 37th) in straight sets. Kontaveit will face off against Naomi Osaka (WTA 9th) for the second time in two weeks.
Kontaveit closed the match 2:0 (6:3, 6:2) against Linette in an hour and nine minutes. The Estonian was able to break Linette's serve and then opened a 4:1 lead in the opening set of the match, after which the players alternated game wins, with Kontaveit finishing the first set strong at 6:3.
Kontaveit promptly broke Linette's serve in the second set and took a 2:0 lead. The Polish player took a medical time-out down 3:2 in the second and after her left thigh was tended to, she was not able to win another game with the Estonian front-racquet closing out the match on her first match point, winning the second set 6:2.
Kontaveit served five aces and commited two double faults, Linette had two aces and four double faults. Of all points scored, Kontaveit took 57 and Linette took 41.
Kontaveit, who has enjoyed a stint of excellent form since the restart of the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) season, reached the round of 16 of the U.S. Open for the second time in her career. She last reached the stage five years ago, when Venus Williams ended her tournament.
This year, Kontaveit will face off against former world first-ranked Naomi Osaka, currently ninth on the WTA singles rankings. Osaka passed the round of 32 after a tough match against 18-year old Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk, defeating the Ukrainian 2:1 [6:3, 6:7 (4), 6:2].
Kontaveit and Osaka have met four times, with Osaka taking all previous meetings. They last matched up on August 26 at the WTA season restart tournament in New York, effectively a warm-up for the U.S. Open. Kontaveit took the first set against Osaka, but the 22-year old Japanese player pushed the pace thereafter, taking a 2:1 (4:6, 6:2, 7:5) victory.
Kontaveit will look to avenge her last loss to Osaka in the small hours of Monday, Estonian time.
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Editor: Kristjan Kallaste