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Merida Open Day 1: Round of 32 preview of best matches

By Myre Aberdan

ZAPOPAN, MEXICO - OCTOBER 19: Sloane Stephens of the United States serves to Belinda Bencic of Switzerland on day three of WTA Guadalajara Open Akron 2022, part of the Hologic WTA Tour, at Centro Panamericano de Tenis on October 19, 2022 in Zapopan, Mexico. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
ZAPOPAN, MEXICO - OCTOBER 19: Sloane Stephens of the United States serves to Belinda Bencic of Switzerland on day three of WTA Guadalajara Open Akron 2022, part of the Hologic WTA Tour, at Centro Panamericano de Tenis on October 19, 2022 in Zapopan, Mexico. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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Match preview:

It’s Day 1 of the inaugural Merida Open being held in Merida, Mexico!

What is incredible about these WTA 250’s is that they are often underrated gems. These matches really are incredible- and here are the matches we have lined up today!

Caty McNally vs Lin Zhu:

Caty McNally is definitely a player who has the chance to be the star of tomorrow. A decorated junior career where she won 3 straight Wimbledon doubles titles- including one alongside Iga Swiatek, McNally is a player to watch as she is still very young. In 2018 she lost the French Open junior final to none other than Coco Gauff. Having already made strides at major level- reaching the last 32 of the 2020 US Open, McNally has all the tools to become the star of tomorrow. Her opponent? Lin Zhu- a player who has already made 2 quarter-finals in 2023 (Auckland and Hua Hin)-including winning a title at the Hua Hin Open as well.

Alison Riske vs X.Y Wang

Alison Riske is a player who can turn it on at any moment. Having beaten the then world number 1 and reigning grand slam champion Ash Barty at Wimbledon 2019- Riske has the tools to absolutely win a title when she is on. Having already won a hard court title at the 2021 Linz Open- Riske has been there and done that at this level. Riske also has the experience under her belt of making the last 16 of a major on hard courts. However, in these conditions, even winning a grand slam can mean nothing. Xinyu Wang on the other hand- is a woman on a mission in 2023. Having already made a semi-final in 2023- Wang will come into this match with plenty of confidence in her game. Xinyu is also only just a baby, and at barely 21 years Xinyu Wang is a player of the future.

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