Kichenok edges Melichar-Martinez in Guadalajara qualifying decider

Nadiya Kichenok came through a three-set battle to beat Nicole Melichar-Martinez 6-3 4-6 7-6 in the qualifying semifinals at the WTA 1000 event in Guadalajara. The margins were as thin as the tiebreak finish suggested: Kichenok landed 65.2% of her first serves and won 71.7% of those points, while Melichar-Martinez was marginally better behind her first ball at 73.8% from a 63.7% success rate. The difference came on the second delivery, where Kichenok won half her points to her opponent's 43.2%, enough to offset 10 double faults against four. Melichar-Martinez struck 10 aces to Kichenok's four, but the Ukrainian advanced.