The heat in Mérida didn’t just sap bodies. It shook up the draw.
From Paolini’s demolition to Emma Navarro’s early exit and Shuai Zhang’s wild streak, the Mexican night served up a cocktail of control, shocks and momentum.
Paolini in command
Jasmine Paolini didn’t hang about. Up against Priscilla Hon, world No. 136, the top seed wrapped it up 6-0, 6-2 in 1h13.
She served with purpose, pushed the pace and kept mixing things up. Paolini grabbed control from the first game and never let go. The first set was a statement. The second confirmed it.
In the quarter-finals she’ll meet Katie Boulter. At this level Paolini looks like a player who smells a chance.
Navarro undone by Zhang
The No. 2 seed won’t see the quarters.
Emma Navarro went down 6-4, 6-4 to Zhang Shuai, after a solid performance from the Chinese veteran.
Zhang keeps pulling surprises. A qualifier, she’s racked up a fourth win in Mérida. She stayed disciplined from the back, defended aggressively and struck when it mattered. She frustrated the American at the key moments.
Zhang on the rise
Buoyed by confidence match after match, Zhang will face Victoria Jiménez Kasintseva in the quarters.
In Mérida the pecking order is wobbling. Paolini is cutting through with authority. Navarro has fallen. Zhang is moving on unfazed.
And the Mexican night keeps writing its own script.
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