It was a long and busy day for Marina Stakusic at the Guadalajara Open Akron on Friday.
The 20-year-old from Mississauga began the day with a round of 16 win over Jelena Ostapenko – a year after Stakusic beat Ostapenko in the same round in Guadalajara. In the quarter-final later Friday, the Canadian waited through a rain delay but eventually lost to Emiliana Arango 6-2, 6-3.
Stakusic was under constant pressure on serve throughout 74-minute match. The Canadian No. 4 faced seven break points, saving just one. Stakusic managed to break twice but was immediately broken back on both occasions.
Arango got off to a more than ideal start, winning eight of the opening ten points to secure the early break and lead 2-0.
At 1-3, the Mississaugan was broken again but broke back to stay within striking distance of the world No. 86. However, in the seventh game, Stakusic could not hold, allowing Arango to serve out the set at 5-2. The Colombian came out with a love hold to take the opening set.
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Early in the second, Stakusic had a great opportunity at 1-0, holding three break points but Aranjo was able to fend off all of them to even the set.
At 2-2, both players once again traded back-to-back-to-back breaks that favoured the Colombian as she took a 4-3 advantage. In the eighth game, Stakusic needed to hold to stay alive in the match but Arango capped off the night with her sixth break.
This was the Canadian’s best finish at an event higher than a WTA 125 this year.
Feature Photo: Sarah-Jade Champagne
