"The hard work is finally paying off": Pera seeded for first time at WTA 1000 tournament but faces biggest test in Swiatek
WTA
Bernarda
Pera will face Iga Swiatek in the third round of the Mutua Madrid Open.
The
American is one of the tennis players who achieved a significant ascent last
year, in a couple of weeks she managed to advance from the 130th position to
the top 50 for the first time in her career. What is surprising is that Pera is
not a young up-and-comer, at 28 years old she spent the last decade mainly playing
ITF tournaments.
In 2022,
she won her first two titles on the circuit, consecutively on clay at the WTA
250 Budapest and the following week in Hamburg. As the weeks passed, Pera
gained access to play in WTA tournament draws due to her rise in the rankings,
which has now led her to be seeded 28th in Madrid, her first time being ranked
among the top players in a tournament of this category.
“I started
to play well, started to believe in myself,” Pera said. “I had a lot of
confidence in my game and just went for my shots. I think I just relaxed a little.
I’m getting older, wiser, probably. I would hope so.”
"I’m a
late bloomer. But definitely feels like all the hard work is finally paying
off."
In the
third round, she will face the world No.1 Iga Swiatek, who continues with her
good feelings on clay and obtained a comfortable victory over Julia Grabher
with a score of 6-3, 6-2.
Read also
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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