World No. 70 Eva Lys kicked off her clay season with a win at the WTA 125 (Challenger) tournament in La Bisbal d’Emporda after overcoming Italian wildcard Nuria Brancaccio 6-3 7-6 (7).
After not enjoying an impressive Sunshine Double, the rising German star decided to return to the Challenger level and play her first tournament of the year in that category. And since she is the highest-ranked player in the tournament, she also got the No. 1 seeding.
In the La Bisbal d’Emporda round-of-16, Lys will play against the winner of the match between Marina Bassols and Margaux Rouvroy. That match is slated to start a bit later today.
How Lys overcame Brancaccio?
2025 Australian Open sensation Lys made a lightning start to the match after opening an early 4-0 lead but then complicated a bit and lost the next three games. However, the top seed didn’t panic and served out the eighth game for a 5-3 lead before collecting her third break of the set in the following game to bag the opener.
The second set was a different story as it was Brancaccio who earned an early break. The Italian wildcard ended up blowing that break – she got another one and went on to open a 5-3 lead – but then failed to serve out for the set.
Even after failing to serve out for the set, the world No. 196 had another chance to win the second set but missed out on a set point at 6-5 in the tie-break. The Italian then paid the ultimate price as Lys converted her second match point to complete the win.
So far in her career, Lys has only won three ITF titles. And considering that she has been playing the tennis of her life this season, she definitely looks like the top favorite to win La Bisbal d’Emporda and catch her first WTA 125 (Challenger) title.
Tennis World USA