Davis, Gibbs, Brady and McHale Advance at Oracle

NEW HAVEN—It was a winning Wednesday in New Haven for the American women as Oracle Challenger Series veterans Lauren Davis, Nicole Gibbs, Jennifer Brady, Christina McHale and more stamped their tickets into the third round with victories over a host of worthy opponents.

Davis, who is well acquainted with the Oracle Challenger Series stage having secured the final 2019 BNP Paribas wild card in last year’s Series, opened up her New Haven tournament with a gritty win over fellow American compatriot Sophie Chang. She emerged victorious in an exciting three set match, setting the stage for a thrilling showdown next against No. 15 seed Varvara Lepchenko.

Over on Court 5, another Oracle Challenger Series stalwart made a statement to the rest of the women’s field. Nicole Gibbs blew past No. 14 seed Whitney Osuigwe 6-1, 6-3, and will next meet the aforementioned Jennifer Brady with a spot in the quarterfinals on the line. Gibbs is continuing her incredible comeback tour after overcoming a rare form of oral cancer earlier this year.

Also joining Wednesday’s American winner’s circle was New Jersey native Christina McHale who eliminated Valeria Savinykh of Russia in straight sets 7-6(4), 6-1. It’s nothing new for McHale, who’s tallied wins at past events including Houston, Newport Beach and Indian Wells.

Christina McHale of New Jersey advanced by stopping Valeria Savinykh of
Russia in straight sets on Wednesday.

In Brady’s first match of the week, she eliminated fellow American Quinn Gleason by the score of 6-2, 7-5. The tournament No. 2 seed, Brady clearly has her sights set on a deep run in New Haven. The Oracle Challenger Series Indian Wells finalist will look to replicate her success in the desert as she heads into the tournament’s third round.

Usue Maitane Arconada made it another American women’s winner on Wednesday, as she upset No. 4 seed Tatjana Maria in straight sets 6-2, 6-2. It’s been an impressive start to the week for the 20-year-old, as she’s yet to drop a set in New Haven.

Later in the afternoon on Court 5, an unfortunate turn of events saw women’s No. 1 seed Margarita Gasparyan retire during the first set of play against American upstart Danielle Lao. With the Lao leading 4-2, the Russian was forced to withdraw from the match.

In ATP action, New Haven native Roy Smith fell to No. 1 seed Andreas Seppi 7-6(3), 6-3; No. 6 seed Tommy Paul defeated Thai-Son Kwiatkowski 7-6(3), 6-4; and Michael Mmoh upset No. 5 seed Denis Kudla 7-5, 6-0. Americans Noah Rubin (d. Enzo Couacaud 0-6, 6-2, 6-1); No. 15 seed Christopher Eubanks (d. Strong Kirchheimer 7-6(4), 6-4); and No. 9 seed Marcos Giron (d. John McNally 7-6(6), 7-6(5)) also advanced. Six total matches (two singles/four doubles) were suspended due to darkness.

Thursday features another full day of matches, with five all-American matchups as players battle for a spot in Friday's quarterfinals.  All matches for the Oracle Challenger Series New Haven, which is being played at the Yale Tennis Center daily until Sept. 8, are being played on the venue’s side courts outside the stadium. Admission is free, and there is a $10 fee for on-site parking.

WEDNESDAY RESULTS

Women's Singles - Second Round
D. Lao (USA) d [1] M. Gasparyan (RUS) 42 Retired
[2] J. Brady (USA) d Q. Gleason (USA) 62 75
[3] [WC] L. Davis (USA) d S. Chang (USA) 62 16 63
U. Arconada (USA) d [4] T. Maria (GER) 62 62
[5] P. Parmentier (FRA) d C. Harrison (USA) 75 64
[6] S. Sorribes Tormo (ESP) d J. Loeb (USA) 61 63
[7] A. Blinkova (RUS) d M. Hibi (JPN) 57 63 62
[9] A. Sharma (AUS) d E. Perez (AUS) 64 64
A. Li (USA) d [10] A. Bolsova (ESP) 26 64 62
[11] H. Watson (GBR) d A. Friedsam (GER) 64 63
[12] C. Mchale (USA) d V. Savinykh (RUS) 76(4) 61
N. Gibbs (USA) d [14] W. Osuigwe (USA) 61 63
[15] V. Lepchenko (USA) d L. Arruabarrena (ESP) 61 46 64
J. Cepelova (SVK) d [LL] R. Small (USA) 60 60
V. Flink (RUS) d [LL] R. Van Der Hoek (NED) 62 76(3)

Women's Doubles - First Round
V. Duval (USA) / C. Harrison (USA) d [4] M. Sanchez (USA) / A. Sharma (AUS) 64 46 13-11

Men's Singles - Second Round
[1] A. Seppi (ITA) d R. Smith (USA) 76(3) 63
[2] B. Schnur (CAN) d J. Aragone (USA) 75 62
[3] D. Dzumhur (BIH) d [WC] P. Chrysochos (CYP) 63 62
M. Mmoh (USA) d [5] D. Kudla (USA) 75 60
[6] T. Paul (USA) d T. Kwiatkowski (USA) 76(3) 64
[7] H. Laaksonen (SUI) d J. Smith (AUS) 76(3) 76(1)
[8] D. Istomin (UZB) d D. Young (USA) 64 63
[9] M. Giron (USA) d [WC] J. Mcnally (USA) 76(6) 76(5)
N. Rubin (USA) d [10] E. Couacaud (FRA) 06 62 61
[11] E. Gomez (ECU) d D. Galan (COL) 63 60

—Staff Reports

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