Wimbledon finalist Ons Jabeur’s debut in the 2022 edition of the Silicon Valley Classic saw her make her way into the quarter-finals on Wednesday. The third-seeded Tunisian won her second-round match-up against the US’ Madison Keys, 7-5, 6-1 in an hour and 22 minutes.
The opening set veered between the two players as Jabeur clinched an early break only for Keys to break back and take a 5-3 lead for herself. As it turned out, Keys didn’t win a single game beyond that point in the set.
The second set was relatively more straightforward in Jabeur’s favour. Jabeur finished the match with seven winners, one fewer than Keys’ eight and had 10 fewer unforced errors than the latter’s 22. She converted six of the nine break points that came her way on Keys’ serve in the match.
Looking to reach the semi-finals in the WTA 500 event, Jabeur will take on either Claire Liu or Veronika Kudermetova.
Silicon Valley Classic: Amanda Anisimova breaks a pattern
Meanwhile, Keys’ compatriot, Amanda Anisimova posted the lone upset of the day.
Anisimova ousted the eighth-seeded Karolina Pliskova after coming from a set down, 3-6, 7-5, 6-1 in an hour and 37 minutes. Anisimova finished with four breaks in the match – all of which came in the latter two sets.
In comparison, she lost her serve twice in the match, once in the first set and once in the second set. In the deciding set, Anisimova didn’t face any break points. Second seed Paula Badosa stopped Elizabeth Mandlik in her tracks in their round-of-16 clash.
The Spaniard, however, had a fight on her hands and needed three sets and two hours and 31 minutes to prevail, 6-2, 5-7, 7-6(5) against the American youngster. Badosa awaits either sixth seed Coco Gauff or Naomi Osaka next.
Lastly, seventh seed Daria Kasatkina also moved into the quarter-finals of the Silicon Valley Classic. Kasatkina won against an American as well in Taylor Townsend, 6-4, 6-0 in 70 minutes. Caroline Dolehide or fourth seed Aryna Sabalenka will take on Kasatkina next.
