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Tsvetana Pironkova’s impressive performance at the US Open continues. After eliminating world number 16 Garbine Mugurusa, the former first racket from Bulgaria took the scalp of the 24th in the ranking Dona Vekic after winning 2-0 sets (6: 4, 6: 1) in a match of the third round of the main draw. The meeting lasted just over an hour.
Thus, the 32-year-old from Plovdiv, who was off the court for about 3 years as a mother, qualified for the knockout stages in New York, matching her best career award since 2012. In addition, Pironkova did so as an amazing way – without losing a set.
The next opponent for the Bulgarian will be determined by the match between Madison Keys and Alize Cornet.
The former world 31st started the match with confidence and easily won her first service game. In the second, however, she got a bit distracted and Vekic had a chance to make a breakthrough, which, however, was mirrored by the Plovdiv woman. Pironkova was the first to reach a break, by 3: 3, which marked the beginning of a series of advances. Vekic immediately rebreaked, and this only made Tsveti more ambitious, who again tested her opponent and then won the first half with her serve – 6: 4.
At first glance, the second set started the same, but in 1: 1 the Croatian committed two double faults and thus the Plovdiv player again came out ahead in the result with a breakthrough.
Vekic’s passing hesitations deepened, and this allowed Pironkova to make a second consecutive 4: 1 break without much effort, after which she simply finished the match 6: 1 on the part and a third straight win after her return.
Pironkova already has four wins in four matches against Donna Vekic, 24, and the Croatian has not won a single set.
