Could Top Seeds Mertens and Kudermetova Be Stunned in Guadalajara?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Jacquemot and Kasintseva achieved significant career milestones.
- Both players showcased resilience and skill under pressure.
- Unforeseen outcomes highlight the unpredictable nature of sports.
- Emerging talents are making their mark in women's tennis.
- Rain delays can impact match momentum and outcomes.
Zapopan (Mexico), Sep 12 (NationPress) In a surprising turn of events at the Guadalajara Open, top seeds Elise Mertens and Veronika Kudermetova faced unexpected defeats at the hands of Elsa Jacquemot and Victoria Jimenez Kasintseva, respectively.
The former junior champions showcased their talent with remarkable upset victories, each securing a spot in their first WTA 500-level quarterfinal.
Having both clinched girls' singles titles at Grand Slams in 2020, these two rising stars have now reached their second career quarterfinal, marking a significant milestone in their professional journeys.
Kasintseva's last appearance in a tour-level quarterfinal was three years ago in Seoul as a lucky loser, while Jacquemot had a strong showing last month at the WTA 250 event in Cleveland.
A junior champion at the Australian Open five years ago, Kasintseva triumphed over second-seeded Kudermetova with a score of 6-4, 6-2, achieving her first career Top 50 victory. Her previous best was against then-World No. 57 Zhu Lin at last year's Mutua Madrid Open.
In a match that concluded this Thursday after being interrupted by rain, Jacquemot executed a stunning comeback to eliminate the top seed with a score of 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Jacquemot demonstrated resilience, coming from behind after trailing in the match. The 2020 junior Roland Garros champion entered the court down a set but had a slight edge at 3-2 in the second set against the number one seed Mertens. The Belgian player committed a staggering 62 unforced errors, allowing Jacquemot to win eight out of ten games after the match resumed, establishing a solid lead.
At the start of the second set, both players exchanged breaks, and Jacquemot was leading 3-2 when rain halted play. The match resumed the following day at the Pan American Tennis Center, where Jacquemot was eager to continue. With a break of serve, she extended her lead to 4-2 and confidently secured the victory, pushing the match to a decisive third set.
Jacquemot needed all the breathing room she could get after a total of 2 hours and 25 minutes of intense action: From 5-1 down, Mertens staged a comeback, winning three consecutive games to narrow the gap to 5-4 before Jacquemot clinched her career-best win, according to reports from the WTA.
The two 20-year-olds are among five unseeded players advancing to the quarterfinals in Guadalajara, alongside Colombia's Emilana Arango, 17-year-old American Iva Jovic, and wildcard Nikola Bartunkova.