Alina Korneeva Upsets Anna Blinkova to Reach Quarterfinals at Mérida Open

Alina Korneeva, ranked No. 254, pulled off a significant upset at the Mérida Open Akron by defeating the No. 5 seed Anna Blinkova in the round of 16. The match, played on Friday at the Yucatan Country Club, saw Korneeva win in straight sets with a score of 7-5, 6-2.

Korneeva’s victory was preceded by a strong performance in the first round, where she defeated American Alycia Parks with a convincing 6-3, 6-1 win. Her aggressive play and effective serving were key factors in her success, as she did not concede a single break during the match against Parks.

This win advances Korneeva to the quarterfinals, where she will face Spaniard Sara Sorribes Tormo. The Mérida Open has seen several exciting matches due to adverse weather conditions, which have compressed the schedule, resulting in multiple matches being played on the same day.

Korneeva’s current form is impressive, with an aggregate 15-5 win-loss record in 2024, primarily on hard courts. Her recent title win at the W100 Caldas da Rainha, where she beat Anastasia Zakharova in the final, has further highlighted her potential.