SAN DIEGO, February 26, 2024 (by Richard Osborn)
American Ann Li was among a group of six players who earned main-draw qualification on Sunday at the 2024 Cymbiotika San Diego Open. Winless in three previous encounters with fellow American Kayla Day, Li turned the tables on the final day of qualifying at Barnes Tennis Center, posting an efficient 6-3, 6-0 win in one hour and nine minutes. Two years removed from her career-high ranking of No. 44, Li saved all six break points she faced.“She’s always a tough opponent,” said Li. “I’m glad to pull through and be in the main draw. No expectations, really. I’m just trying to be better, trying to improve, just trying to build on the momentum and see where it goes.”The last time Li appeared on these courts was the USTA Girls’ 18s National Championships in 2017, only days after reaching the girls’ singles final at Wimbledon. The 23-year-old Pennsylvanian says she cherishes those memories.“That’s one of the best experiences I’ve had in my tennis career, being 17 years old, being at a Slam,” said Li. “At the end, the finalist and champion get to go to a ball. I remember [Roger] Federer won that year. He’s my idol. We were sitting a table apart in fancy clothes, living it up. That week was amazing.”One of Li’s tablemates that night was her victorious opponent, countrywoman Claire Liu. The Thousand Oaks resident wasn’t as fortunate on Sunday in San Diego, where she fell to Germany’s Jule Niemeier for the third time in as many head-to-heads, 6-4, 6-2. Her Billie Jean King Cup heroics aside, 19-year-old wildcard Marina Stakusic has played just two main-draw matches at the WTA Tour level. The Canadian, who shares her hometown with 2019 US Open champion Bianca Andreescu (Mississauga, Ontario) is now guaranteed a third thanks to a 6-3, 6-4 victory over France’s Elsa Jacquemot on Court 2.In a clash of former Top-50 players, Australia’s Daria Saville topped Linda Fruhvirtova of the Czech Republic, 6-4, 6-1. Also moving into the main draw were Japan’s Mai Hontama, a 7-6(4), 6-4 winner over Hungary’s Dalma Galfi; and Marina Melnikova, who rallied from a set down to defeat Slovakia’s Rebecca Sramkova 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, in two hours and 19 minutes.
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San Diego Open – Barnes Tennis Center$ 922,573February 26-3 2024Results – Sunday, Feb 25Q2 – M. Melnikova d. [8] R. Sramkova (SVK) 46 62 64Q2 – [12] A. Li (USA) d. [2] K. Day (USA) 63 60Q2 – [WC] M. Stakusic (CAN) d. [11] E. Jacquemot (FRA) 63 64Q2 – [7] J. Niemeier (GER) d. [4] C. Liu (USA) 64 62Q2 – [5] M. Hontama (JPN) d. [9] D. Galfi (HUN) 76(4) 64Q2 – [10] D. Saville (AUS) d. [6] L. Fruhvirtova (CZE) 64 61
