A spot in the next round is at stake on Thursday, when Julia Grabher goes up against Maria Lourdes Carle in the Curitiba (Brazil) round of 16. Julia Grabher comes in at 7 wins from the last ten. Maria Lourdes Carle limps in on a 3-match losing skid, just 3 wins in 10.
Hold strength tells the story — 61% versus 58% on first-serve points in Grabher's favor. The edge belongs to Grabher — real, but not the kind you take for granted at this level.