Recap: Three-Setter Thursday

Cîrstea Ousts No. 2 Seed Diana Shnaider: Second-seeded Diana Shnaider couldn’t complete a third-set comeback as 34-year-old Cîrstea triumphed 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 to reach the ATX Open quarterfinals. Cîrstea used a strong serve and consistent backhand to control the match, finishing with six aces. “I’m very happy with this win because Diana is a tough opponent,” Cîrstea said, adding that her serve was key to the victory.

McCartney Kessler Wins in Third-Set Tiebreak: Fifth-seeded American McCartney Kessler overcame Spanish qualifier Cristina Bucșa 5-7, 6-3, 7-6(4). After a tough loss in a similar tiebreak in Dubai, Kessler stayed focused and advanced, securing the match after Bucșa’s groundstroke went into the net. “It feels good to come out on top today,” Kessler said. 

Caroline Dolehide Battles to Victory: American Caroline Dolehide reached the quarterfinals by recovering from a lost first set to beat France’s Varvara Gracheva 5-7, 6-2, 6-2. Dolehide took control after Gracheva’s comeback attempt in the first set and dominated in the final two. “I think being brave in the end helped me a lot,” Dolehide said after the match. Dolehide next faces Greet Minnen, who routed eighth-seeded Suzan Lamens, 6-1, 6-0. Minnen, a 27-year-old Belgian ranked No. 92, lost her serve in the opening game and didn’t lose again.