August 14, 2019 - Not all hope is lost for Croatian tennis players in the Cincinnati Masters as Donna Vekić moves into the second round.

After a poor display on Monday, which saw Čilić, Karlović, and Martić out in the first round, Donna Vekić gave us confidence.

Donna Vekić overcame the first obstacle of the WTA tournament in Cincinnati without any major problems. The Osijek native celebrated against Czech player Katerina Siniakova, the 38th best tennis player in the world, in two sets (6:4, 6:3). Siniakova held on in both sets until 1:1, after which Donna completely controlled the result, says HTS.

Siniakova had the biggest opportunity in the first set when she went from 2:5 to 4:5 to again lose her service and the set. In the second set, the winner was clear thanks to a break in the fourth game. The Croatian tennis player totaled five aces, had a first-serve percentage of 63 percent and used four of 13 break points. 

In the second round, Donna awaits Belarusian player Victória Azárenka, the 40th best player in the world, on Wednesday at 6:30 pm Croatia time. Donna recently mastered Azárenka at the WTA tournament in San Jose.

Unfortunately, Borna Coric joins Čilić, Karlović, and Martić on their short stay in Cincinnati. After his first-round match was interrupted due to rain on Monday, 22-year-old Ćorić, who was also the 12-seed of the tournament, was surprised by the 211 cm tall American player Reilly Opelka (42nd on the ATP list). The game continued on Tuesday from the third set, and Ćorić lost 4:6, 6:3, 7:5.

Recall, the match was cut short on Monday at 4:3 for Borna in the deciding set. However, a day later, Croatia’s best male tennis player lost his serve in the 11th game, after which the American (who achieved 27 aces in the match) safely served to win. Ćorić scored six aces with a brilliant first-serve percentage of 71 percent, but used only one of 11 break points, which ultimately gave him the defeat. For comparison, Opelka used two of seven.

In the doubles competition, Mate Pavić and partner Bruno Soares will move to the round of 16. 

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It has been a difficult season for Marin Čilić.