Olaniyi AyoolaIn a thrilling first-round encounter at the 2025 Miami Open presented by Itau, American Alycia Parks staged a remarkable comeback to defeat France’s Varvara Gracheva 3-6, 7-6(0), 6-3. The match, held at Hard Rock Stadium, showcased Parks’ resilience as she overcame a significant deficit to advance to the second round.
Gracheva started strong, taking the first set 6-3 and establishing a commanding 5-2 lead in the second. She even held a match point at 5-4, but Parks managed to save it with a service winner. Demonstrating mental fortitude, Parks dominated the ensuing tiebreak, winning it 7-0 to level the match.
In the decisive third set, Parks capitalized on her momentum, breaking Gracheva’s serve early and maintaining her lead to close out the set 6-3. Throughout the match, Parks delivered 13 aces, showcasing her powerful serve as a key weapon in her comeback.
Despite committing 73 unforced errors, Parks’ aggressive play and ability to seize critical moments proved decisive. Her victory sets up a second-round clash with 26th seed Leylah Fernandez.
For Gracheva, the loss marks a continuation of a challenging season, with seven defeats in eleven matches. Despite her strong start in this match, she was unable to close it out, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the sport.
Parks’ performance underscores her potential on the WTA Tour, particularly when she harnesses her powerful serve and maintains composure under pressure. As she progresses in the tournament, her ability to build on this momentum will be crucial.
Musa
