Rebecca Marino of Toronto, Ontario is in the quarterfinals of the 2022 Citi Open in Washington, D.C. This is Marino’s first quarterfinal appearance in a WTA event in 2022.
What is significant about Marino’s quarterfinal berth in Washington is who she beat. The 31-year-old beat two players with formidable resumes to reach the final eight.
In the first round, Marino beat seven-time major champion Venus Williams of Lynwood, California, 4-6, 6-1, 6-4. Williams has won Wimbledon five times (2000, 2001, 2005, 2007 and 2008), and the United States Open twice (2000 and 2001). A major reason for Marino’s win here was her serve. She had 10 aces, while Williams only had three. Williams also had 13 double faults, while Marino only had two.
In the second round, Marino beat Andrea Petkovic of Germany, the 2014 French Open semifinalist, 6-3, 3-6, 6-1. Once again the serve was a major reason why Marino was victorious. Marino had five aces and three double faults, while Petkovic had only one ace and seven double faults.
Marino will face Daria Saville of Australia in the quarterfinals on Friday. This will be their first meeting head-to-head. Saville, was born in Russia, and has represented Australia since 2015 when she entered a relationship with Australia tennis player Luke Saville, who she married in 2021. Saville is 88th in the world and Marino is 111th.
