|Photo: Minoru Fujii
Rebecca Marino is back in the winner’s circle!
The 28-year-old Canadian, who began her remarkable comeback to the sport 16 months ago following a nearly five-year layoff, capped off a dominant week at the ITF 60k event in Kurume, Japan with a 6-4, 7-6(0) win over qualifier Yuki Naito.
Marino lost just one set throughout her week in Kurume, where she played on tricky and uncommon carpet courts. The low bounce and speed of the courts ultimately played to Marino’s favour, however, as she used her big serve and big forehand to win five matches in a row and, in the end, nearly $10,000 American in prize money.
Sunday’s victory sees the Vancouverite rise back into the WTA top 150 at World No. 144, her highest ranking in her comeback so far. She’ll head into French Open qualifying this week as the last direct entry into the draw, but high on confidence as she takes on French wild card Tessah Andrianjafitrimo in the first round.
(Feature photo: Minoru Fujii)
