Marino Leaves 2023 Pan American Games Without Medal

Photo : Pascal Rathe

Despite a strong effort, Rebecca Marino will be leaving Santiago, Chile, without a medal.

At the bronze medal match, the Canadian faced off against Julia Riera from Argentina, who bested her in three sets 3-6, 6-4, 6-1.

While Marino put up modest numbers in points won from her first and second serves, she could not capitalize at break points, converting only two of her 10 attempts.

The match was lengthy, lasting just under two hours, but the first and final sets were brisk.

Riera struggled in the first set, especially in her service games. She only scored points on her first serves 40 per cent of the time, improving to a better 60 per cent (on five shots however) in her second serves. Though she converted one of her two break points, it wasn’t enough to seal the first set against Marino, whose respectable numbers showed potential.

The second set saw Marino maintaining her steady pace from the first set, but Riera was fired up from her first set loss. She immediately improved her service games, scoring points on 18 of her 21 attempts. Even though Marino struggled, the second set remained close.

Once the third set kicked in, it seemed like Marino had run out of steam. While Riera continued to see success in her service games, Marino could not get a hold of hers, scoring points on just 45 per cent of her first serves and 38 per cent of her second serves.

With a loss in the bronze medal match, the Canadian players including Marino and Justin Boulais, will return home without a medal around their necks.

Boulais and Marino teamed up in the mixed doubles draw as well but came up short in the quarter-finals.

With the 2023 Pan American Games now in the books, the Canadians will instead turn their heads to the forthcoming 2024 Olympic Games in Paris where they, and many others, will seek to qualify in the coming months.

Written By

Louis Pavlakos