Lulu Sun saves match point in second qualifying win at Wimbledon

Lulu Sun’s overriding emotion was relief after an incredible roller coaster of a win over the Czech Republic’s Gabriela Knutson in the second round of qualifying at Wimbledon on Wednesday.

Sun won 6-4 4-6 7-6 (6), but the scoreline does little to tell the story of what was one of the most dramatic matches in Sun’s young career. 

The 23-year-old was broken when serving at 4-5 in the first set, played much better in the second and appeared to be cruising towards a place in the final round of qualifying when up 5-1 in the third.

But after the score got to 30-30 on the Czech’s serve, two points away from victory for Sun, the match took a remarkable shift as not only did Knutson held serve and continued to do so in the following games, she also broke Sun when she twice served for the match. 

Knutson even had a match point when Sun was serving at 30-40 and 5-6. But it was at that moment when Sun found her form again, to not only win the next three points, but take the match in a super tiebreaker.

There wasn’t any emotion from Sun when Knutson double-faulted at 6-9 in that tiebreaker. Just relief.

“I’m just really glad that I managed to pull through that match because it is important to win the last point obviously,” Sun said.

“It was a tough one today. I was nervous at the beginning, so I didn’t really hit my shots that well and she came in hitting her serve well, so it was a struggle.

“I found my footing over the course of the match, but then the momentum shifted and obviously it’s tough to finish on a super tiebreak, which doesn’t happen often in singles.

“So I had to dial in for each point and I’m relieved that I finished.”

Playing at grand slams is still a relatively new experience for Sun and the ultimate prize for everyone in qualifying of making it through to the main draw is huge, especially at Wimbledon as it means you get to play at the most famous tennis venue in the world.

All of this may have resulted in Sun getting tight or frustrated as she went from being up 5-1, to having to save a match point.

“She was still fighting and giving her all,” Sun said of Knutson’s comeback. 

“So I had to push back. She wasn’t going to give me any free points and in some of the games I had chances to close it out, but I didn’t manage to do it.

“You just have to reset after that and try to do it again and again.”

Of course, had Sun lost that match point it would have been game over, but by saving it, she took the momentum into the super tiebreaker.

“I was like I’d given myself a chance to continue, so for each point give it your all and see where it goes,” Sun said.

“Each match, each day, each tournament is different and you learn different lessons. 

“But coming back from a set down and from match point, it’s something you can learn a lot from.

“The way I fought was definitely one of the top things I’d say won the match for me.”

In the third round of qualifying on Thursday, Sun will play against Alexandra Eala from the Philippines, who is ranked 162 in the world and won the Junior US Open in 2022.

The 19-year-old Eala caused something of an upset on Wednesday by defeating the No 14 seed in qualifying, Tamara Zidansek from Slovenia 1-6 7-6(9) 6-3. Whoever wins, will be making their first-ever appearance in the main draw at Wimbledon next week.