Duval Rallies Past Wang To Set Up All-American Match Versus Kiick for Spot in the US Open Main Draw
(August 24, 2017) FLUSHING, NY- Wildcard Victoria Duval rebounded from a first set loss, to beat Yafan Wang of China 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 to reach the third and final round of the US Open qualifying tournament.
How did the American turn the match around? ” I just kept believing in myself and fighting and I know that I can come back from many situations so that kept me going,” she told Tennis Panorama.
GSM Wildcard @vicky_duval95 rallies past Wang 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 to reach 3rd rd of @usopen pic.twitter.com/2iX14xSK7C
— Tennis Panorama News (@TennisNewsTPN) August 24, 2017
She said motivation for her comeback is not hard. “Tennis is my passion so it’s not hard to hard to lose the motivation to make you work.”
Duval is a cancer survivor. She was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2014 just before Wimbledon. She defeated the 29th seed, Sorana Cirstea in the first round. She has been cancer-free since September 2014.
The 21-year-old first made a splash on the WTA tour when she upset 2011 US Open champion Samantha Stosur 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 in the first round of the 2013 US Open.
Duval, currently ranked 401st in the world says that she hopes to play some Challenger events after the US Open.
Duval will be playing friend and countrywoman Alexandra “Allie” Kiick for a place in the main draw of the US Open on Friday.
Kiick is also a comeback story. The daughter of former NFL running back for the Miami Dolphins, Jim Kiick. Allie, who also received a qualifying wildcard, has survived cancer, a pair of knee surgeries on each knee and mononucleosis.
She last played at the US Open three years ago in the qualifying tournament – she was forced to retire with an injury just three games in.
The two Floridians have never played against each other on the pro tour.
Karen Pestaina at the US Open
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