Kraus beats Liu 6-4 6-3 to reach Cincinnati main draw

Sinja Kraus came through qualifying in Cincinnati with a controlled 6-4 6-3 win over Claire Liu, never letting the American settle in either set. The Austrian's serve was the steadier of the two: she landed 63.0% of first deliveries and won 64.7% of those points, while backing it up with 55.0% behind the second ball. Liu, by contrast, found only 59.4% of first serves and won 53.7% of those points, and her five double faults to Kraus's two kept handing back initiative. It was a clean, efficient afternoon that earned Kraus a place in the main draw.