Former Champ McNally Moves on as Quarterfinal Field Set at Dow Tennis Classic
MIDLAND, Mich. (Nov. 4, 2021) - By: Thomas Cluck
2019 Dow Tennis Classic champion Caty McNally kept up her Midland magic in the second round on Thursday as she raced past another top American junior, a role the Cincinnati, Ohio native was in not too many years ago, winning 6-0, 6-3 against an over-matched Elvina Kalieva in just 66 minutes to book her spot in the quarterfinals here in Michigan.
“I think it was a really high level match, you know some of the points we’re having we were just totally unloading on the ball, really going out through our shots,” assessed McNally.
“Obviously she’s a good player, I knew that going into that so I was taking it really seriously, but just focusing on my game, one point at a time, trying to incorporate my slice a lot. I think that helped out and then I served really well which I think is helpful,” the 19 year-old said.
McNally, who defeated Reese Brantmeier in her first round on Tuesday, looked even better in her second match of the tournament today, serving better, crushing forehands, and utilizing the variety and mix of spins and skills at the net that has catapulted her to a US Open doubles final and number 17 in the world in doubles alongside fellow teen Coco Gauff.
“The first match, that was the first match I played back here. I think I was still getting a little comfortable on the court. So when I won that match, I was really looking forward to just getting back out on the court and improving what I thought I could have done better. Really going after the ball on both sides, unloading on my forehand when I got the opportunity and then just taking it point by point,” McNally commented.
Still just 19, McNally is well past her junior days as one of the top players in the junior ranks, showing her “veteran” ability now if you can ascribe that to a 19 year-old, something she relied upon against the next wave of rising US women’s stars in Brantmeier on Tuesday and Kalieva today.
“Yeah, I think I’ve gained a lot of experience from being in their shoes to where I am now. I’ve lost some really tough matches and gone through some ups and downs, but that’s only made me stronger as a person,” added McNally.
“She’s [Kalieva] a really good player, I think we should look out for her for the future. I’m just proud of myself that I was able to take care of what I needed to, not really let her do her own thing,” explained the Ohio native.
Being so close to home and playing indoors in the Midwest this fall as the 2021 tennis season ends helps make the end of a long, grueling year of travel on the professional tennis tour a little easier than some of her compatriots on the circuit for McNally.
“I think it’s difficult for everyone. It’s really important to have good people around you. I think that’s what helps me out a lot and then I haven’t been playing too much the past, you know, month and a half, just because I was out with a little injury, so it’s nice to be back and back in the Midwest is always nice, not too far from home. So it's always nice to be back in Midland.”
Day four at the Greater Midland Tennis Center also saw more American success as former Ohio State Buckeye Francesca Di Lorenzo held off Switzerland’s Conny Perrin 6-1, 5-7, 6-3 to book her spot in the quarterfinals while countrywoman Robin Anderson did the same, defeating the seventh seed Katarzyna Kawa 6-3, 6-3 to reach the last eight.
The final spot in the elite eight went to Misaki Doi, the second seed here from Japan, who moved past the US’ Dalayna Hewitt 6-3, 6-2 to earn a quarterfinal date with McNally tomorrow on Friday.
Day five’s quarterfinal action sees the 2018 and 2019 champions lead the way as top seed Madison Brengle faces Australian Lizette Cabrera, seeded number seven here, before fifth seed McNally takes on lefty Doi. A pair of all-American showdowns will be sure to delight fans as well with Di Lorenzo taking on the former USC Trojan Danielle Lao first on Stadium court while Robin Anderson and Katrina Scott go head-to-head in the nightcap.