Japan Women’s Open Tennis, Tokyo

[CR60] Christina McHale (USA) vs. [CR70] Saisai Zheng (CHN)

McHale was saved by the rain. The first set she struggled to find her range and had a hard time holding on to the two games that she won.  Luckily, the rain came and play was interrupted.  She used the break wisely and gathered herself.  She remembered that she was the higher ranked player and that should count for a bit more experience in tricky situations.  McHale is no stranger to difficult matches as she has had numerous matches where she had to fight off opponents as well as her nerves.  She was able to turn the match around and won in three sets, 2-6, 6-3, 6-3.

It’s been a tough road back from Mononucleosis and she is trying to regain the form that saw her ranked as high as 24. McHale is hoping to get some much needed points from this tournament. She is into the semifinals and will face the Polish player, Magda Linette.  They met once before and McHale prevailed in two sets after a bit of a battle.  She can expect the same as Linette’s ranking has improved significantly since their last encounter.  McHale is up for the challenge though, as long as she keeps the nerves under control and stays focused in the moment.  A victory will give McHale her second career singles final.  Will she get by Linette in the semifinals and gain the opportunity to win her first career singles title?