Polish tennis player Martyna Kubka missed out on a place in the main draw of the US Open after losing 6-4, 6-0 to 16-year-old Russian Kristina Liutova on Thursday afternoon.
The defeat ended Kubka's debut campaign in Grand Slam qualifying, where she had won her previous two matches before falling one win short of entering the main tournament at Flushing Meadows.
Kubka had never previously featured in qualifying for a Grand Slam tournament before earning her spot this year. Her entry into the preliminary draw in New York followed a singles title victory at a W75 tournament in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.
The Polish player built momentum in the early rounds of qualifying by defeating American Annika Penickova 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-2 in her opening match. She then secured a 6-3, 6-2 victory against Spaniard Marina Bassols to set up the decisive meeting with Liutova.
First set struggle
Both players held serve in the opening stages of the match. The first break point of the contest arrived in the ninth game on Kubka's serve, which Liutova converted to take a 5-4 lead with a break advantage.
Liutova wrapped up the opening set 6-4 after 47 minutes of play. Kubka created a break point opportunity at 40-30 in the final game of the set but was unable to capitalize.
The second set proved far more difficult for the Polish player as Liutova raced into a 2-0 lead with an early break. Kubka had two opportunities to hold game on her own serve, but Liutova pushed the game to deuce.
Although Kubka saved two break points during the game, Liutova converted her third chance to extend her lead. Kubka did not generate a single break point throughout the set and failed to hold serve in any game, with Liutova closing out the match 6-4, 6-0.
Historic milestone for Liutova
Following the match, the official US Open profile noted that Liutova became the first tennis player born in 2010 to advance to the main draw of a Grand Slam tournament.
The victory continued an impressive period of form for the Russian teenager, who recently won a WTA tournament in Memphis. Liutova has won 30 of her last 33 matches and currently holds a nine-match winning streak.
Kubka's season overview
In addition to her singles victory in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Kubka reached the singles final at an ITF tournament in Hurghada, Egypt, earlier this season.
Kubka has also enjoyed success in doubles competition this year, winning titles in Lopoța, Georgia, alongside Vendula Valdmannova, and in Hurghada paired with Polina Iatcenko. She also reached the WTA 125 doubles final in Warsaw with partner Alicja Rosolska, where they lost 3-6, 1-6 to the Polish-American pairing of Weronika Falkowska and Alana Smith.
Grand Slam qualifying competitions feature 128 players competing over three knockout rounds to claim 16 spots in the main tournament draw. The US Open, held annually at Flushing Meadows in New York, represents the final Grand Slam event on the professional tennis calendar.
