AFTER an entertaining few days, the Round of 16 in both the WTA and ATP Newport Beach Challenger events have been decided after the remaining Round of 64 and Round of 32 matches were completed.

Women’s:

Round of 32:

American, Coco Vandeweghe progressed through to the next stage of the Newport Beach Challenger with a straight sets victory over 10th seed Alice Kiick 6-2 6-1. It was a convincing performance by the 28-year-old who got the job done in 52 minutes showcasing just how dominant she can be. Vandeweghe did not let up consistently pressuring fellow American and forcing her into errors while using her serve to full effect winning 67.9 per cent of first serves. Kiick really struggled to generate any type of momentum on the serve only winning 44.4 per cent of first serves and a mere 22.2 per cent on second serves all but gifting Vandeweghe easy points.

Jessica Pegula continued her hot from once again, moving through to the Round of 16 after a convincing straight sets victory over Italian Sara Errani. The American dominated from the get-go, covering the court well and simply could not be denied thanks to her power hitting and clever shot selection. Errani only won two games throughout the set credit to Pegula’s increased pressure and determination. The American served up five aces to none and was lethal on the first serve with a 79.2 per cent efficiency compared to 50 per cent, all but handing her the win.

Round of 64:

In a two-hour thriller, Hungarian Dalma Galfi reigned supreme over Katherine Sobev 5-7 6-2 6-4. Galfi had a slow start to the match dropping the first set before finding her groove as the match went on to build some momentum and claim the next two to ultimately win the match. Sobev seemed to have everything going her way in the opening set but fell off the boil with the 21-year-old Hungarian seizing the moment. The Canadian was stronger on the first serve winning 58.7 per cent of and while Galfi was not overly accurate on the first she made it count on the second serve with a 58.5 per cent accuracy. Galfi showcased her attacking intent winning 50 per cent of net points compared to 20 per cent. The win sees the 21-year-old move through to the next stage.

—

Men’s:

Round of 32:

American, Raymond Sarmiento claimed a big upset downing ninth seed Mackenzie McDonald in a strong performance 7-5 6-4. Sarmiento defeated McDonald in two sets and despite being on the receiving end of eight aces managed to do more damage with his consistent and strong serving winning 68 per cent of first serves. The American seemed to have all the answers for McDonald who failed to really get going.

Fifth seed, Andreas Seppi was knocked out of the Newport Challenger by Jc Aragone in two sets 6-2 7-6. It was a strong showing from the American who combated everything Seppi threw at him. In the twilight of his career Seppi looked to trouble his opponent but was bundled out quickly thanks to some big hitting and clever court coverage. Third seed Miomir Kecmanovic made light work of Japan’s Yosuke Watanuki despite being pushed to three sets 6-1 4-6 6-3. Kecmanonvic did not register an ace while his opponent dished up five but it was the double faults that cost Watanuki amassing eight and ultimately dropping his accuracy on the first serve to 62 per cent compared to the Serbians 70 per cent.

Round of 64:

Daniel Elahi Galan left his mark on the competition downing Brit, James Ward in three sets 6-4 3-6 6-2. It was a seesawing affair with both players trying to find their feet and assert themselves to get a win on the board and move through to Round 16 of the Newport Beach Challenger. Elahi Galan got the ascendancy early but faded away in the second before upping the ante in the third and getting the job done against Ward. The Colombian was deadly on the serve dishing up 14 aces while his opponent only managed eight. To add further insult to wounds Elahi Galan was accurate on the first serve winning 76 per cent compared to Ward’s 69 per cent. In other results Argentinian, Agustin Velotti disposed of American Govind Nanda in straight sets with the latter not winning a single game in the second set 6-4 6-0.