Fri Sep 13 01:16:00 UTC 2024: ## Garcia Battles Past Shibahara to Reach Guadalajara Open Quarterfinals
**Guadalajara, Mexico** – French fourth seed Caroline Garcia fought her way to the quarterfinals of the Guadalajara Open Akron, defeating Japan’s Ena Shibahara in a thrilling 7-6 (3), 7-6 (5) match on Thursday.
Garcia took control early in the first set tiebreaker, building a 4-1 lead before clinching the set. The second set saw neither player break serve, leading to another tiebreaker. Garcia fell behind 4-3 but rallied to win three consecutive points and ultimately secure victory on her second match point.
Garcia’s aggressive play was evident in her 10 aces and her success in saving 5 of 6 break points during the one-hour, 50-minute match. She will face Czech sixth seed Marie Bouzkova in the quarterfinals, who defeated Italy’s Lucrezia Stefanini 6-2, 6-1.
In other Round of 16 action, top seed Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia will face Canadian Marina Stakusic, while No. 5 seed Magdalena Frech of Poland will take on American Ashlyn Krueger.
## Upset in Monastir as Lys Knocks Out Top Seed Mertens
**Monastir, Tunisia** – In a major upset, German player Eva Lys knocked out top seed Elise Mertens of Belgium in the Round of 16 of the Monastir tournament. Lys, despite losing the first set 1-6, rallied to win the next two sets 6-2, 7-6 (4). Mertens, despite leading 6-5 in the first set, was unable to capitalize and ultimately lost in a tiebreaker. Lys overcame a 7-0 ace deficit, taking advantage of Mertens’ seven double faults and weak second serve performance.
Other Round of 16 winners include Italy’s Lucia Bronzetti, who defeated Ann Li of the U.S. 6-4, 7-6 (3). Croatian Antonia Ruzic also advanced with a 6-3, 6-1 victory over British opponent Yuriko Miyazaki. Zeynep Sonmez of Turkey saved 13 of 18 break points to secure a 6-4, 1-6, 6-3 win over Belgian sixth seed Greet Minnen.
First Piper 