Friendly atmosphere, a large number of tennis fans at the night match, victory for Marčinko, Würth and Martić - another day of the top tournament in Makarska has come to an end.
A brief summary of today – Petra Marčinko, Petra Martić and Tara Würth move on. Unfortunately, Tena Lukas failed to defeat last year's winner, Katie Volynets. The American eventually won 6:2, 6:4.
On several occasions, it seemed that Tena might even turn the score around, the audience encouraged her, cheering for her every good move. Tena cheered for them, got angry when she lost, and showed her typical Kastelan temperament. It was a real pleasure to watch this attractive match at the WTA Makarska Open, which runs until June 8.
The national team's coach Marin Bradarić and his assistant Izrudin Žunić were in the audience cheering.
"Tena's match was interesting, competitive, the audience enjoyed it. Excellent points were made. But in my opinion, Tena should have taken a little more risk on her opponent's serve because her opponent serves quite evenly. Almost every time you know exactly where that serve is going and it is quite soft for this level of tennis. The rallies were good, interesting, there is nothing to complain about. Tena had a lot of chances, she used the break points poorly. Volynets used all her chances more or less. Maybe a bad first serve percentage in the first set. In any case, I would tell Tena to go back to her dad's house to play basketball," Marin Bradarić commented on the match.
Tara plays great tennis
Petra Martić easily defeated Frenchwoman Margaux Rouvroy 6:3, 6:4, Marčinko played against Miriam Bulgaru and at 6:4, 2:0, the Romanian gave up the match due to injury, Tara Würth was better in the duel with colleague Sara Svetac. The result was 6:0, 6:3.
"Tara showed a phenomenal game today, I would say at least top 50 level. I think these conditions suit her very well - the courts, fast balls that bounce a lot and the high temperature. She plays extremely demanding tennis for every opponent, especially on clay surfaces. And if she continues like this, if she stays healthy, she is certainly a bright spot for Croatian tennis in the future. I would also like to praise Sara Svetac, who is studying in America and year after year you can see progress, she produces good results every time she returns to Croatia in the summer and gets a chance for a tournament. She played a great match, although at one point the result did not show it. Tara was leading 6:0, 3:0 and I commented to Sara's mother that she was playing very well, and that's how she was losing. By the end of the match, things got a little complicated, but Tara was so good and concentrated that she still did not allow a reversal. My colleague Izo and I see someone who comes from the shadows and has a chance, in our opinion, to even win the tournament if she plays this well," Bradarić praised the game of young Tara.
Marić and Marčinko have great chances tomorrow
Izrudin Žunić looked back at tomorrow's matches between the Croatian representatives. Petra Martić plays against Czech tennis player Sara Bejlek, who had a notable result at Roland Garros.
"Sara made it through the qualifications and the first round. Petra played with her a month and a half ago so they know each other. Petra definitely showed an enviable level today. Today she reminded us why she was in the top 15 in the world. We are looking forward to seeing those two styles tomorrow - a defensive player like Sara and a Petra who has a variety of tennis and can definitely impose herself from the beginning of the match. Petra Marčinko plays against the Mexican Zarazua and it is a good match up for Petra because Zarazua is a defensive player. Petra will have a chance to play her tennis, she will test Zarazua. If she imposes herself from the beginning, and Petra can do that, they will have a good chance tomorrow. Zarazua is experienced, but Petra is showing her tennis from match to match," concludes Žunić.
Makarska June 4, 2025
Photo Bogdan Klarić
