Liutova K. defeated McNally C. 6-3, 6-4 at Memphis, backed by a much steadier serving day and relentless return pressure. Liutova landed 75% of first serves and won 69% of those points, while McNally offset her own solid serving with three double faults.
McNally broke early in the opener, but Liutova answered with breaks at 3-3 and 5-3 to close out the first set. The second set swung dramatically: McNally jumped to 4-0 before Liutova broke in game five and again in game seven, then converted a third break at 5-4 to seal the match.
The decisive edge came on return: Liutova won 27 return points to McNally's 19 and converted five break points to three. She also saved two of the five break points she faced, avoided double faults, and outscored McNally 58-42 in total points.