Chwalinska's Comeback
Maja Chwalinska Secures First WTA Victory Since Roland Garros at Cincinnati Open
Poland's Maja Chwalinska is back in the win column. She beat Spain's Cristina Busca 6-2, 6-3 in the second round of the Cincinnati Open on Wednesday, according to Yardbarker. It was her first WTA match win since she finished runner-up at Roland Garros earlier this year.
The victory is a big step for Chwalinska, who had to quit Wimbledon with a right ankle injury. She returned to the tour last week but lost in the opening round. Cincinnati gave her the win she needed to build momentum again, Miami Herald reported.
Chwalinska Dominates Busca With Sharp Return Game
Chwalinska was in control from the start. The match featured eight breaks of serve in total, and Chwalinska converted six of her 11 break-point chances. That kind of pressure on her opponent's serve made the difference in both sets, according to The Olympian.
The 6-2, 6-3 scoreline tells the story cleanly. Busca could not hold her serve often enough to stay in the match. Chwalinska was clinical and never let her back into either set.
Ankle Injury Had Kept Chwalinska Off the Tour Since Wimbledon
Chwalinska's run to the Roland Garros final earlier this year made her one of the most talked-about players on tour. But a right ankle injury forced her out of Wimbledon before she could build on that success. The injury kept her sidelined for weeks.
She came back to the tour last week but dropped her opening-round match. Cincinnati's second round was only her second match back. Getting through it in straight sets is a strong sign her ankle has healed, BND reported.
Polish Players Make Waves as Ostapenko Falls in Cincinnati
Chwalinska was not the only Polish player to shine in Cincinnati. Her compatriot Magdalena Frech upset 26th-seeded Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia. It was a strong day overall for Polish tennis at the tournament.
Elsewhere in the draw, Alexandra Eala of the Philippines continued her rise through the ranks. The young star beat Romania's Elena-Gabriela Ruse to advance. Eala has been one of the most exciting young players on tour this season, Miami Herald noted.
What Comes Next for Chwalinska at the Cincinnati Open
Chwalinska now moves into the next round of the Cincinnati Open, held in Mason, Ohio. The tournament is one of the top events on the WTA calendar before the US Open. A deep run here would send a strong message that she is fully fit and back to her best form.
Her Roland Garros run earlier this year showed she can compete with the best players in the world. If her ankle holds up, she could be a dangerous player in the later rounds. Tennis fans will be watching closely to see how far she can go.
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