Magda Linette (53rd WTA) did not have such a spectacular start to 2024 as in 2023. Then she played in the semi-finals of the Australian Open, and now she has played seven matches, of which she won only two and lost five. The Polish tennis player has already competed in five singles tournaments this year, in which she reached the second round twice (Brisbanne and Abu Dhabi), and was eliminated three times following the first match (Adelaide, Australian Open and Hua Hin).
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On Monday followingnoon, Linette met qualifier Nao Hibino (WTA 93) in the first round of the WTA 1000 tournament in Doha. Both women faced each other eight times before this match. Four of these matches were won by Linette and four by Hibino. The last time they played once morest each other was in May 2021 in Strasbourg. Then the Pole won 6:2, 6:0.
The beginning of the match in Doha was dictated by Magda Linette from the very beginning. When the score was 1-0, the Pole made two simple mistakes at the net and then the Japanese fortunately won her service game. However, the next three went to Linette, who had the initiative in most exchanges and following less than half an hour she was leading 4:1.
This was the last signal for Hibino to fight in this set. The Pole already had 40-0 and the ball for 5-1, but the Japanese saved three break points. Linette was better in the advantage play, winning the game by 16 points and missing the set by one point. After playing 24 balls, Linette saved four break points, used the sixth match ball and won the set 6-1 following 50 minutes.
In the second game, the Japanese started well, first winning her serve, and then having as many as four break points on Linette’s serve. Fortunately, following a long advantage play, the Pole managed to escape the situation unscathed and the score was 1:1. A moment later, she broke her opponent’s goal, but she immediately lost her serve and the score remained tied. The next two games went to the servers.
After a good part of the game, Hibino lost her serve and Linette took the lead 4:3. Then she played well defensively and increased her advantage, thanks to which she was close to closing the match. The Japanese managed to extend the match even further, winning another serve and then saving two match points. However, the 20-point game went to the Pole, who won the set 6-4 and the entire match 2-0 in one hour and 53 minutes.
In the second round of the tournament in the capital of Qatar, Magda Linette will play once morest China’s Qinwen Zheng (7th WTA), the finalist of the last Australian Open. In the third phase of the competition, the winner of this competition will play once morest the better of the pair of Paula Bados (79th WTA) – Leylah Fernandez (38th WTA)/Ludmiła Samsonowa (15th WTA).