Stoiana edges Selekhmeteva in three to reach Cincinnati main draw

Mary Stoiana came through a swinging qualifying final in Cincinnati, racing through the opening set 6-0, losing the second 7-5 and then holding her nerve to take the decider 6-4. The serving was fragile on both sides, but Selekhmeteva paid the higher price: 14 double faults and just 27.0% of second-serve points won left her offering free ground in every set. Stoiana had her own troubles with seven double faults and 63.6% of first serves in, yet she won 67.9% behind the first ball and 40.6% behind the second. The American duly booked her place in the main draw.