2018 Finalist Jamie Loeb Starts off 2019 Campaign With Victory Over Grace Min

MIDLAND, Mich. – Last year’s Dow Tennis Classic (DTC) Finalist Jamie Loeb dropped the first set, but rallied back to take a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory in the opening round of the Dow Tennis Classic.

After making the finals of the DTC a year ago, Jamie Loeb was ready to hit the courts in Midland again and made a statement with a victory in her opening match Tuesday night. 

In an All-American battle, both Loeb and Grace Min fought for control in the opening set.  After staying on serve for the first half of the set, Min was able to secure the break to take the opening set 6-4.

“It was definitely a battle from start to finish,” said Loeb, “I served really well, and she was serving well.  I couldn’t get my returns in [in the first set], but I knew I’d get my opportunities and that’s what happened in the second and third set.”

Both competitors would continue to battle in the second set, but with the game tally at 4-3 in Loeb’s favor she would be able to close out the set strongly and take a 6-3 victory to send the match into a deciding set.

The third set again started out as a back and forth seesaw affair.  At 3-2, Loeb was able to rattle off three straight games to win the final set 6-2.

“The first match is always the toughest,” added Loeb, “With nerves and everything it’s just a bit different, but I’m glad to get it done and hopefully I can build on that.”

Loeb used a strong serve to tally 13 aces en route to taking 11 of her 13 service games.  She will await the results of tomorrow’s match between Madison Brengle and Urszula Radwanska to determine her second round opponent.  A victory by Brengle would set up a rematch of the 2018 DTC Finals.