Kinoshita edges Rodriguez in three sets in Sao Paulo qualifying

Hayu Kinoshita came through a swinging three-setter to beat Rodriguez V. 6-4 1-6 6-2 in the qualifying semifinals in Sao Paulo. The Japanese player landed only 52.1% of her first serves and coughed up five double faults, but when the first delivery did land she was the sharper server, winning 63.2% of those points to her opponent's 52.2%. Rodriguez was far more reliable in the box at 74.2%, yet lacked bite behind it, and her 41.7% on second serve was not enough to offset that. The decider swung Kinoshita's way, carrying her into the final qualifying round.