Tennis Roundup: Top Seed Falls in Thailand—Paire Upsets Murray

Magda Linette of Poland hits a shot against Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark in the first round of the women’s singles in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, on Han. 14, 2024. Mike Frey/USA TODAY Sports via Field Level Media

Diana Shnaider knocked out top-seeded Magda Linette of Poland 6–4, 1–6, 6–1 on Monday in a stunning start to the Thailand Open in Hua Hin, Thailand.

The 19-year-old Russian saved six of nine break points against the 2020 tournament champion, finishing the match in two hours and nine minutes. Up next for Shnaider is Spain’s Paula Badosa, who rallied to beat Thai teen Lanlana Tararudee 3–6, 6–4, 6–1 in just under two hours.

No. 3 seed Xinyu Wang and No. 5 Xiyu Wang of China both advanced. Japan’s Nao Hibino overcame a 5–0 deficit for a 7–6 (4), 6–0 win against Kamilla Rakhimova of Russia. Hungary’s Dalma Galfi and Switzerland’s Viktorija Golubic both won their openers in straight sets.

Upper Austria Ladies Linz

England’s Katie Boulter saved all five break points she faced and cruised to a 6–2, 6–2 upset of No. 6 seed Jasmine Paolini of Italy in first-round action in Austria.

Russia’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova saved all three break points in a 6–4, 6–0 win against Martina Trevisan of Italy.

Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko is the No. 1 seed. Russia’s Anastasia Potapova is the defending champion and the No. 5 seed.

Benoit Paire Upsets Andy Murray in First Round in Montpellier

Frenchman Benoit Paire pleased the home crowd by rallying past No. 5 seed Andy Murray of Great Britain 2–6, 7–6 (5), 6–3 in the first round of the Open Sud de France on Monday in Montpellier.

Paire absorbed 13 aces by Murray and won 49 of 63 first-service points (77.8 percent) while saving four of eight break points. Paire delivered eight aces.

Also, Pedro Martinez recorded a 6–4, 7–6 (3) victory over Jaume Munar in a battle of Spaniards. Martinez converted four of seven break-point opportunities and will face fourth-seeded Borna Coric of Croatia in the second round.

In another main-draw match, Michael Mmoh defeated France’s Benjamin Bonzi 6–3, 7–5.

Mmoh fired 10 aces and saved both break points he faced while breaking Bonzi’s serve twice in three opportunities.