Trio of top-10 seeds bounced at Merida

Second-seeded Emma Navarro and No. 3 seed Ann Li of the United States, along with No. 7 seed Jessica Bouzas Maneiro of Spain, were denied spots in the quarterfinals by losing Thursday at the Merida (Mexico) Open Akron.

Navarro, ranked No. 20 in the world and the tournament’s defending champion, was sent packing by Shuai Zhang of China in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4, while Li fell to Zeynep Sonmez of Turkey, 6-3, 7-6 (7), 6-4. Maneiro was soundly defeated 6-0, 6-3 by Magdalena Frech of Poland.

Navarro was off to a strong start after breaking Zhang’s second service game and leading 4-1 in the first set, but Zhang battled back and took the next five games to win the set. In the second set, Navarro appeared poised to bounce after by building a 3-1 lead, but Zhang won five of the next six games to pull off the upset.

In her tournament debut, No. 1 seed Jasmine Paolini of Italy cruised over lucky loser Priscilla Hon of Australia 6-0, 6-2. Paolini finished with 13 winners to 14 unforced errors and won 90% (9 of 10) of her second-serve points while converting 6 of 11 break points.

ATX Open

Unseeded Ajla Tomljanovic of Australia pulled off a big upset, taking down No. 2 seed Iva Jovic 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, to reach the quarterfinals in Austin, Texas.

After Jovic – ranked No. 18 in the world – broke Tomljanovic in the 10th game to win the opening set, the Australian broke the American in the fifth game then held serve to force a decisive third set. Jovic entered the match with her right leg strapped, then had her left leg strapped after losing the second set and requesting a medical timeout.

Tomljanovic jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the final set, then after Jovic recovered and tied the set at 4-all, the Australian secured a key break in the ninth game before serving out for the match in the 10th game.

Americans Peyton Stearns (No. 4 seed) and Ashlyn Krueger swept their way into the quarterfinals, while Kimberly Birrell of Australia also advanced.