PARMA, May 19 2021 (by Lorenzo Carini)

There were only a few balanced matches during the fifth day of Emilia-Romagna Open, the new WTA 250 event organized by MEF Tennis Events at Tennis Club Parma.

Martic advances to quarterfinals

Second seed Petra Martic, coached by former Roland Garros champion Francesca Schiavone and a semifinalist at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome last week, advanced to the quarterfinals in Parma thanks to her straight-set win over the Russian lucky loser Liudmila Samsonova, 7-6, 6-3. The Croatian, whose career best-ranking was No. 14, will next play Qiang Wang. The Chinese interrupted the run of Italian qualifier Martina Di Giuseppe, 6-4, 6-4 after trailing 4-1 in the second set.

Coco Gauff ends the daily program with a win

After having reached the semifinals in Rome last week against Iga Swiatek and rising to the Top 30 in the world rankings, Coco Gauff earned another impressive win in Parma. The 17-year-old American beat Camila Giorgi in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3, in one hour and 11 minutes.

17-year-old 🇺🇸 @CocoGauff continues her impressive run on clay with a win over Camila Giorgi.

Waiting for her in the quarterfinal will be @AnisimovaAmanda, a rematch of the 2017 @usopen junior final and their first ever pro meeting. 👀 pic.twitter.com/QsxPTGexw9

— wta (@WTA) May 19, 2021

“I don’t know if I will play in Strasbourg before Roland Garros. I will take a decision after this tournament in Parma,” said Gauff, who has also reached the doubles semifinals with Caty McNally. In the singles quarterfinals on Thursday, Gauff will face Amanda Anisimova in a “Next Gen” derby. “She’s a great player, it’s gonna be a tough match for me,” Gauff said.

Happy Wednesday for Garcia and Errani

Caroline Garcia, seeded eighth, opened Wednesday’s play on Centre Court against German qualifier Anna-Lena Friedsam. The 53rd-ranked French won in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4, to advance against Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic, who upset top seed Serena Williams in the second round.

Sara Errani, the last Italian remaining in the Parma singles draw advanced after her Spanish rival and No. 7 seed Sara Sorribes Tormo was forced to retire during the fifth game of the third set due to a left thigh injury after two hours and 54 minutes on court. The 24-year-old Sorribes Tormo received a medical time out off the court during the third-game changeover in the third set. However, only nine points later she decided to retire in order to not aggravate her physical conditions.

SINGLES R2 – RESULTS
[8] Caroline Garcia (FRA) d. [Q] Anna-Lena Friedsam (GER) 6-2 6-4
[6] Qiang Wang (CHN) d. [Q] Martina Di Giuseppe (ITA) 6-4 6-4
[WC] Sara Errani (ITA) d. [7] Sara Sorribes Tormo (ESP) 4-6 7-5 2-2 Ret.
[2] Petra Martic (CRO) d. [LL] Liudmila Samsonova (RUS) 7-6(5) 6-3
[3] Cori Gauff (USA) d. Camila Giorgi (ITA) 6-2 6-3

DOUBLES R2 – RESULTS
[2] Darija Jurak (CRO)/Andreja Klepac (SLO) d. Eden Silva (GBR)/Kimberley Zimmermann (BEL) 6-1 7-5
[1] Alexa Guarachi (CHI)/Desirae Krawczyk (USA) d. [SR] Viktorija Golubic (SUI)/Alexandra Panova (RUS) 6-1 6-2