Ruggeri J. defeated Toth A. 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the first round of the WTA 125K Palermo. The match was decided by Ruggeri's superior play on big points, saving 61% of break points and converting six breaks to Toth's five, despite Toth hitting four aces and a higher first-serve percentage.
Toth took the opening set 6-3 after a flurry of breaks, converting three break points and building a 5-1 lead. Ruggeri fought back to 5-2 but Toth closed it out. In the second set, Ruggeri seized control with breaks at 0-2 and 0-4, going up 4-0 before Toth broke back at 1-4; Ruggeri served out the set 6-3. The deciding set was tight: Ruggeri broke for a 3-2 lead, Toth immediately broke back, but Ruggeri broke again for a 4-3 lead and held serve to take the set 6-4.
A key difference came on second serve in the third set. Ruggeri won 83% of her second-serve points (5/6), while Toth managed just 20% (2/10). That efficiency allowed Ruggeri to hold serve easily after each break, ultimately securing the victory.