Sun Advances to First WTA 250 Semifinal of the Year
Lulu Sun has advanced to the semifinals of the WTA 250 tournament in Guangzhou, China, marking her first semifinal appearance of the year. In a challenging quarterfinal match, she overcame Caty McNally from the United States, winning with a score of 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. The match lasted one hour and 57 minutes.
Key Match Highlights
- Sun has now won five matches this year after losing the first set.
- This victory adds to her impressive record of 12 wins in the last 14 matches since the US Open.
- During the first set, Sun had six break point opportunities, but McNally secured the only break.
- Sun clinched the only break in the second set, leveling the match.
- The final set saw intense exchanges, with Sun displaying remarkable skill in crucial moments.
Decisive Moments
At a critical 2-2 in the final set, Sun executed a stunning return, showcasing her determination. Although she had a match point while McNally was serving at 5-3, an error prevented her from sealing the victory. However, Sun maintained her focus, leading to eventually taking the match when McNally misfired after a lengthy rally.
Next Steps for Sun
With this victory, Sun will compete in the semifinals against the winner of the match between Claire Liu and Ella Seidel. Liu is currently ranked 305, while Seidel holds the 96th spot globally. Sun’s journey to the semifinal has likely secured her a position back in the top 100 of the world rankings.
